Ames, Leonard, Farmhouse
Why it's listed
This farmhouse on Main Street in the village of Mexico, New York, was built in two stages by early settler Leonard Ames. A small one-and-one-half-story frame house of post-and-beam construction went up around 1815, replacing a log cabin. In 1835 Ames added a two-story stone residence with a side wing, finished in Federal style details such as a wooden cornice with returns, a carved transom shelf and hand-turned stair balusters. Lintels over the entrances carry the date 1835. The stone is finely cut, with some blocks weighing over half a ton. Stone farmhouses are rare in Mexico, though the plan is typical of local farmhouses. The contrast between the modest early wing and the large addition, built about twenty years apart, reflects the town's growth and its farmers' rising prosperity. The Ames family took part in local civic, political and Methodist life. The surrounding farm was later subdivided, leaving the house on a one-acre lot.
Significance in brief: The house is a distinctive, intact example of an early nineteenth-century farmhouse in Mexico. The two building phases show changes in construction methods, style, craftsmanship and farm prosperity. The 1835 stone section is a rare stone farmhouse in the town, though its form is typical of local farmhouses. It was built by Leonard Ames, an early settler.
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 91001630, listed November 14, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 5707 Main St., Mexico |
|---|---|
| County | Oswego County |
| Listed | November 14, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91001630 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1815-1835 |
| Architect / builder | Leonard Ames (builder); architect unknown |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| 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; the form lists both historic and current function as single dwelling. A 1930s garage and a swimming pool are noncontributing. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 43.46050, -76.24119 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 91001630.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6525068
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.