Crabtree, John A., House (Additional Documentation)
Why it's listed
Built in 1899-1900 on a former potato field at 15 Factory Street in Montgomery, this two and a half story cross-gable house was designed by Walter J. Keith of Minneapolis and constructed by local builder Chauncey Brooks for John A. Crabtree and his bride. Its Queen Anne character shows in fish-scale shingled gables, one-over-one windows, stained glass, and a dark-stained interior with original woodwork. Unusual shutter hardware patented in 1886 let occupants work the shutters from inside. Later changes include a two story rear porch around 1914 and an enlarged parlor and dining room in 1924. A gambrel garage, shed, chicken house ruin and slate walks complete the property. The Crabtrees were a mill-owning family prominent in the village, and John developed glass plate photographs in an attic darkroom. The house is notable for retaining most of its integrity and for the extensive family records that survive with it.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an intact example of restrained Queen Anne Victorian architecture, with original woodwork, hardware and patented shutter mechanisms. Its outbuildings and landscape features reflect a family whose income was not wholly dependent on agriculture. It is also tied to the locally prominent Crabtree family, mill owners who contributed to the community around the turn of the century.
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 98001001, listed August 6, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 15 Factory St., Montgomery |
|---|---|
| County | Orange County |
| Listed | August 6, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98001001 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1899-ca.1920 |
| Architect / builder | Keith, W.J., Architect; Brooks, Chauncey, Builder |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian/Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in use as a single-family residence; the form describes years of neglect, an overgrown rear garden and ruined outbuildings, but says most of the house's integrity remains. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.52882, -74.22628 (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 98001001.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6217604
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.