Morse Cobblestone Farmhouse
Why it's listed
Built between about 1840 and 1845 on Maple Road in the Town of Wilson, this cobblestone farmhouse sits on a 10-acre remnant of an original 100-acre farm about three miles from Lake Ontario. Its L-shaped plan has a two-story main block, a side block, and a rear kitchen block, all faced in small field cobbles laid in neat rows with limestone quoins, sills and lintels. The form is mainly Greek Revival, but Gothic drip moulds over the main block windows add a more refined touch. A flat-roofed porch and interior changes date to about 1910. The house is named for James M. Morse, who bought land in Wilson in 1840 and appears as owner on an 1875 atlas. It is one of roughly 47 cobblestone buildings in Niagara County and was listed for its architecture, as a well-preserved example of Middle Period cobblestone masonry. Two early stone barns remain on the property.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a substantially intact, representative example of cobblestone construction in Niagara County, typical of the Middle Period (c.1835-c.1845). It has field cobbles in horizontal rows, stone quoins, and stone sills and lintels. Gothic drip moulds over the main block windows are unusually sophisticated for an otherwise vernacular Greek Revival farmhouse.
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 10000591, listed August 30, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2773 Maple Rd, Wilson |
|---|---|
| County | Niagara County |
| Listed | August 30, 2010 |
| Reference number | 10000591 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1840-c.1910 |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century: Greek Revival, Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; no longer used for farming. Two early stone barns remain on the 10-acre parcel, one restored in 2009. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 43.28052, -78.79854 (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 10000591.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6914240
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.