Barlow, Smith H., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1898 on Harwood Drive in Lacona, this two and one-half story frame house is a well-preserved example of Queen Anne architecture. Its asymmetrical facade includes an engaged square tower with iron cresting, enclosed gables, a curved porch with turned posts, and a mix of clapboard and scalloped shingle siding. A two-story bay window and a Palladian type gable window add variety. A late-nineteenth century carriage house, now a garage, stands on the same parcel. Smith H. Barlow, a carpenter and teacher who came to Sandy Creek in 1855, built the house on a lot left vacant by a fire in 1891. He ran a water-powered sash and door factory and supported the founding of the local high school. The house was listed as an intact local representative of turn-of-the-century middle-class taste. Later changes, such as a rear fire escape and an enclosed rear vestibule, do not detract from its character. It now serves as a group home.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an intact, representative example of eclectic Queen Anne residential architecture in the town of Sandy Creek. It shows the style in its plan, massing and detailing, and reflects the taste of prosperous middle-class Americans at the turn of the century. It also retains outstanding exterior integrity.
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 88002214, listed November 15, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Harwood Dr., Lacona |
|---|---|
| County | Oswego County |
| Listed | November 15, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88002214 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect: None; Builder: Smith H. Barlow |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition rated good; in use as a dwelling/adult home, described as currently a group home. Interior renovated in the mid-twentieth century. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 43.64344, -76.07459 (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 88002214.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7545160
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.