Sanford House
Why it's listed
This two-story house at 211 Summit Avenue in Syracuse's Onondaga Highlands neighborhood was designed in 1913 by Ward Wellington Ward for Harrison D. Sanford, president of the People's Ice Co. and the Best Ice Cream Co. Built with a first story of brick and a second story of stucco, it has a hipped roof, cross gables, imitation half-timbering and casement windows with Ward's signature row of pointed arch lights. Inside, the original plan survives along with many finishes and fixtures. Features include stained glass, leaded glass cabinets, built-ins, woodwork combining several wood colors, and three fireplaces faced in Mercer tile. The living room has an early air exchange system, a forerunner of air conditioning. The house was listed for its architecture as an intact, representative example of Ward's residential work in Syracuse. Later changes, including an altered kitchen, a rear deck and a modern stained glass window, are considered minor.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an intact and representative example of Ward Wellington Ward's residential work in Syracuse under Criterion C. It retains its original plan, finishes and fixtures, and displays Ward's signature pointed arch motif, stained glass, and three Mercer tile fireplaces.
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 97000075, listed February 14, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 211 Summit Ave., Syracuse |
|---|---|
| County | Onondaga County |
| Listed | February 14, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000075 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1913 |
| Architect / builder | Ward, Ward Wellington |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival/Arts and Crafts |
| Criteria |
|
| 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 in use as a single dwelling; few changes since its period of significance. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Onondaga Highlands-Swaneola Heights Historic District |
| Coordinates | 43.03055, -76.16603 (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 97000075.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7417628
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.