Morgan Hook and Ladder Company
Why it's listed
This frame building on Mill Street in the center of Naples, New York, began around 1830 as a Federal-style dwelling, later described as the old mansion of Simeon Lyon. As nearby mills grew, it became a boarding house known as the "Beehive." In 1891-92 the Morgan Hook and Ladder Company, a volunteer fire company named for local druggist John C. Morgan, converted it into a fire house and added a bell and hose drying tower. After the village incorporated in 1895, the cellar served as a jail and part of the building held village offices until 1928. Later tenants included hardware, harness and plumbing businesses. The exterior keeps its Federal configuration, including a centered doorway with sidelights, alongside the large pumper entry and the tower, which is visible from many points in the village. Interior features are largely removed, but the structure is generally sound. The Naples Historical Society recently acquired it for preservation.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building reflects the development of local government and municipal services in the late nineteenth century. It retains its Federal-period exterior form, while the pumper entry and the 1891 bell and hose drying tower recall volunteer fire protection. The tower is described as a significant local landmark.
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 95000668, listed June 2, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 18--20 Mill St., Naples |
|---|---|
| County | Ontario County |
| Listed | June 2, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000668 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1830-1928 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic: Federal; Late Victorian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed function is vacant/not in use; structural condition described as generally good, with most interior features removed. Recently acquired by the Naples Historical Society. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.61526, -77.40328 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 95000668.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6911700
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.