Snell, Levi, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1855 on the northern edge of Fayetteville, this two-story brick house was home to merchant Levi Snell. It sits on a corner lot that once covered about two acres, and plantings still screen it from newer neighbors. The square main block has a shallow hipped roof with deep bracketed eaves, a style then new to the area. Its five-bay, center-hall layout, two-panel doors, Doric porch columns and trabeated openings follow the older Greek Revival taste. Rear additions in brick and frame, and a bay window added in 1946, are compatible with the original. The house is the only surviving large brick merchant residence from mid-century Fayetteville. Snell ran a dry goods and grocery firm and served as a bank officer and village trustee. Marquis L. Peck, who bought the house in 1870, was a bank director, schoolteacher and census official. Their careers reflect the village's prosperity when the Erie Canal feeder ran through it.
Significance in brief: It is a substantial, largely intact mid-nineteenth century brick residence that shows the tastes of prosperous but conservative merchants in small upstate New York communities. It is the only surviving example of the few large brick merchant residences built in mid-century Fayetteville. It is also associated with its first two owners, Levi Snell and Marquis L. Peck, who were prominent in the village's commercial, educational and governmental affairs.
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 87001365, listed August 20, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 416 Brooklea Dr., Fayetteville |
|---|---|
| County | Onondaga County |
| Listed | August 20, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001365 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival and Italianate elements |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence in excellent condition; restored in 1983-84. |
| Acreage | 0.7 |
| Coordinates | 43.03489, -76.00805 (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 87001365.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6535520
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.