Dodge-Greenleaf House
Why it's listed
Set on a wooded, terraced parcel in the village of Otisville, this frame Gothic Revival house was built around 1855 for Algernon S. Dodge, a local merchant and lumber dealer. It has a one and one-half story main block with three steeply pitched gables, bargeboards, turned finials, Gothic-arched windows and a wood verandah with clustered columns. A two-story rear wing gives the house an L-shaped plan. Inside, the plan and many finishes survive, including struck plaster cornices, wood-grained doors, marble mantelpieces and period radiators, much of it from renovations in the late 1870s. The grounds retain a Gothic-style barn, potting shed and outhouse, plus stone walls, old trees and a hitching post. Dodge supplied lumber and railroad ties for the Erie Railroad, which connects the property to the area's industrial growth. The house is recognized for its architecture, its intact condition and its association with Dodge, who lived there until his death in 1881.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an excellent, highly intact example of Gothic Revival domestic architecture in the style promoted by pattern book authors such as A.J. Downing and Samuel Sloan. It is also tied to Algernon S. Dodge, a local lumber dealer and merchant who supplied railroad ties for the Erie Railroad, linking it to the area's industry.
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 08000142, listed March 5, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2009 NY 211, Otisville |
|---|---|
| County | Orange County |
| Listed | March 5, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000142 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1855- c. 1900 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century: Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a single dwelling, with the rear wing used as a guesthouse. |
| Acreage | 3.6 |
| Coordinates | 41.47696, -74.54088 (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 08000142.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5287826
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.