Harrington Colbblestone Farmhouse and Barn Complex
Why it's listed
This 33.9-acre farm on Ridge Road in Hartland, Niagara County, centers on a cobblestone farmhouse built in 1843 for Harry Harrington, a Vermont native who bought the land that year. The one-and-one-half-story, gable-roofed house uses medium-sized field cobbles laid in horizontal rows with limestone mortar, Medina sandstone corner quoins, and stone sills and lintels. These features are typical of cobblestone buildings of the Middle Period, roughly 1835 to 1845. Original interior elements include a center-hall plan and staircase. Surrounding the house are three barns, a tool or machine shed, an outhouse, a corn crib, a henhouse and a pump, some dating to the mid or late nineteenth century. Harrington also served as town clerk and justice of the peace before his death in 1849. The property was recognized as an intact example of cobblestone construction and as a farmstead that reflects the area's agricultural history. About one-third of the original 100-acre farm remains.
Significance in brief: The farmhouse is a well-preserved example of vernacular cobblestone construction from the Middle Period (ca. 1835-1845), with field cobbles in horizontal courses, stone quoins, sills and lintels. Together with its barns and outbuildings on an intact farm, it also reflects the importance of agriculture in the region.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05001396, listed December 7, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 8993 Ridge Rd., Hartland |
|---|---|
| County | Niagara County |
| Listed | December 7, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05001396 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1843 - ca. 1930s |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century: Greek Revival (vernacular cobblestone) |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still a working farm in single-dwelling use; the current owner has restored the farm buildings to their original character after decades of neglect. |
| Acreage | 33.9 |
| Coordinates | 43.24771, -78.52605 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05001396.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5664574
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.