Dickson, John and Mary, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1835 on Main Street in West Bloomfield, Ontario County, this L-shaped timber frame house was erected for John Dickson and his wife Mary. Dickson was a local lawyer, state assemblyman and member of the U.S. Congress from 1831 to 1835. The two-story main block reflects late Federal and early Greek Revival design, with a pedimented front gable carried on engaged Ionic pilasters, a louvered lunette, shouldered window trim and a deeply recessed entrance. Inside, the main section keeps its side-hall plan, six-panel doors, plaster walls, ornate mantels and a staircase with cherry balustrade. In the mid-19th century the ell was remodeled and Italianate touches were added, including tall first-floor windows and a new front entrance. The house is believed to be the oldest surviving building in the village and is considered an unusually intact, sophisticated example of its style. Once the center of a farm of more than 240 acres, it now sits on nine acres and remains a private home.
Significance in brief: The house is argued to be an outstanding, remarkably intact example of late Federal and early Greek Revival domestic architecture in northwest Ontario County. It is believed to be the oldest surviving building in the village. It was built by John Dickson, a local lawyer and former member of Congress, and its design rivals high-style buildings in larger nearby cities.
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 08001077, listed November 19, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 9010 Main St., West Bloomfield |
|---|---|
| County | Ontario County |
| Listed | November 19, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08001077 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1835 - ca. 1870 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Early Republic: Federal (late Federal/early Greek Revival, with mid-19th century Italianate updates) |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; restored in the 1990s, with a modern barn added in 2003. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Coordinates | 42.90813, -77.53611 (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 08001077.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6265423
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.