Cornfield, The
Also known as: Farmers' Independent Benevolent Society Hall
Why it's listed
Set well back from CR 26 in Fly Creek, Otsego County, the Cornfield is a modest one-story wood-frame hall built in 1928 by Slovenian immigrant farmers. Members of the Farmers' Independent Benevolent Society, a cooperative insurance group founded in 1926, raised the building themselves over about two years, reusing the frame of a former hop house and lumber from a dance hall on Otsego Lake. It took its name from the tall corn that surrounded it when finished. The long, narrow dance hall has novelty siding, a gable roof and a diagonally laid maple floor. A kitchen was added in 1956 and restrooms in 1957, both matching the original. The hall mattered because the Slovenian families were socially isolated from neighboring farmers, and gatherings here let them celebrate shared customs and language. Its form and function resemble a grange hall. The society still operates, and the building remains nearly unchanged from its early years.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building represents the ethnic heritage and social history of Fly Creek's Slovenian community. It served as the headquarters and gathering place of the Farmers' Independent Benevolent Society, founded in 1926, and helped preserve Slovenian culture in an isolated farming community. It retains almost complete integrity to its construction 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 02001047, listed September 12, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 655 Cty Rd. 26, Fly Creek |
|---|---|
| County | Otsego County |
| Listed | September 12, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02001047 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1928 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown; built by members of the Farmers' Independent Benevolent Society |
| Architectural style | No style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History, European, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a meeting hall; the society continues to function under its original charter. Virtually intact apart from a replacement standing-seam metal roof. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Oneonta Downtown Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.45595, -75.06128 (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 02001047.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7727640
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.