Estabrook House
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Why it's listed
Standing at 819 Comstock Avenue across from Syracuse University, this two-and-one-half-story house was designed in 1909 by architect Ward Wellington Ward. It pairs a gambrel roof and jettied second story, features of Colonial Revival design, with stucco and half-timber walls borrowed from Tudor Revival. Pointed-arch window lights, decorative lattice work and a brick course at the foundation are typical of Ward's Syracuse work. Inside, the original plan survives, including a tile fireplace with built-in bookshelves, a nearly octagonal dining room, built-in closets, original radiators and early bathroom fixtures. Attorney Charles S. Estabrook commissioned it for his mother and stepfather, Caroline and Theron Barnum. Syracuse University bought the property in 1951 and later planned to demolish it for parking, but resident pressure ended that plan and the house was sold to private owners in 1974. Few changes have been made, mainly an enclosed front portico and an altered rear porch. It was recognized as an intact example of Ward's residential architecture.
Significance in brief: The house is significant under Criterion C as an intact, representative example of Ward Wellington Ward's residential architecture in Syracuse. It combines Colonial Revival features (gambrel roof, jettied second story) with Tudor Revival stucco and half-timbering. It was one of Ward's first Syracuse commissions and retains its original plan, finishes and details.
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 97000071, listed February 14, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 819 Comstock Ave., Syracuse |
|---|---|
| County | Onondaga County |
| Listed | February 14, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000071 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1909 |
| Architect / builder | Ward, Ward Wellington |
| Architectural style | Arts and Crafts |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition on the exterior and interior, and still used as a single-family dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 43.03465, -76.12945 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 97000071.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5400004
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.