Jenkins Octagon House
Why it's listed
Built in the 1850s on a farm along Route 395 just north of Delanson, this eight-sided farmhouse is clad in clapboard and rises two stories under a low-pitched polygonal roof with a central chimney. Greek Revival details include a full entablature and corner pilasters on each facade, and a hipped porch with octagonal posts wraps the main block. A one and one-half story wing extends to the north. Carpenter Alexander Delos "Boss" Jones built it for Nathaniel C. Jenkins, a prominent member of the Society of Friends in Quaker Street. It reflects the octagon design promoted by Orson S. Fowler in 1848 and is one of only two octagons left in Duanesburg. Its walls use stacked plank construction, a technique known in only three Jones houses. Two barns, a shed and an octagonal gazebo survive as contributing outbuildings, and the entire 151.2-acre farm is included to reflect its agricultural use.
Significance in brief: It is a representative example of the octagon house mode popularized by Orson S. Fowler, and one of only two surviving octagons in Duanesburg. It is also the work of Boss Jones, the town's most prolific and skilled master carpenter, and uses an uncommon stacked plank construction technique.
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 84003227, listed October 11, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NY 395, Duanesburg |
|---|---|
| County | Schenectady County |
| Listed | October 11, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84003227 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Alexander Delos (Boss) Jones |
| Architectural style | Octagon mode with Greek Revival style features |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Private residence in excellent condition; the farm remains in agricultural use and no threats are known. |
| Acreage | 151.2 |
| Coordinates | 42.75945, -74.18441 (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 84003227.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6177610
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.