Swift, Philetus, House
Why it's listed
Set well back from Route 96 on a slight knoll in Phelps, this limestone farmhouse was built in two stages by Philetus Swift, an early settler who became a miller, farmer, militia officer and state senator. The simple rear ell dates to 1792-93, while the larger main block of 1816 is a two-story, three-bay, side-hall Federal building with finely dressed limestone, quoins, a fanlighted entrance and fanlights in the gable ends. Inside, Federal trim and mantelpieces survive, though the main rooms were reworked in 1914. Two barns behind the house, one with a first story of hewn limestone from 1792-93, add to the farm setting. The 41.4-acre property is a remnant of Swift's original 320 acres. It was recognized for its architecture, for its place in the area's farming history, and for its connection to the settlement of Phelps. A Prohibition-era raid in 1928 uncovered a large whiskey still in the house.
Significance in brief: The house is argued to be an outstanding, remarkably intact example of a late 18th and early 19th century cut limestone dwelling in northern Ontario County (Criterion C). It is also significant under Criterion A for its link to the farming history of rural Ontario County, with two intact barns and an agricultural setting. As one of the region's earliest houses, tied to a founder of Phelps, it recalls the town's settlement period.
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 05000159, listed March 15, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 866 NY 96, Phelps |
|---|---|
| County | Ontario County |
| Listed | March 15, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000159 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1792-93 - ca. 1914 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (built by Philetus Swift) |
| Architectural style | Early 19th Century: Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single-family dwelling; the surrounding land is partly leased to a tenant farmer. |
| Acreage | 41.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.94726, -77.01808 (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 05000159.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7183036
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.