Stonehouse Farm
Why it's listed
Set well back from Route 7 above the Susquehanna River, this coursed rubble stone farmhouse was built between 1817 and 1823 by Ira Emmons, a New England settler who worked as a surveyor, lumberman, Justice of the Peace and hop farmer. The main block is a cross-gable house with a seven-bay front and flanking wings, slate roofing, brick chimneys and an elliptical fanlight over the entrance. Inside, Greek Revival woodwork and a large cooking fireplace survive. Only a handful of Federal style buildings remain near Oneonta, and few local houses are built of stone, so this one is described as the area's most outstanding example. A newspaper in 1893 already called it a valley landmark. Later owners added a portico around 1950, modern kitchens, a greenhouse and a compatible garage and apartment building in 1979. The property includes about 16 acres of meadow, forest and mature trees.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an outstanding example of Federal style vernacular architecture and one of very few stone houses in the Oneonta area. It was built by Ira Emmons, a leading nineteenth-century citizen whose varied careers reflect the development of the Susquehanna Valley. It has been a local landmark for over eighty-five years.
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 80002744, listed November 19, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E of Oneonta on NY 7, Oneonta |
|---|---|
| County | Otsego County |
| Listed | November 19, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002744 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Ira Emmons (builder) |
| Architectural style | Federal style vernacular |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence; altered over time with a 1979 garage and apartment addition, and in good condition. |
| Acreage | 11 |
| Coordinates | 42.47064, -75.00192 (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 80002744.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7619240
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.