Becker-Westfall House
Also known as: Westfall House
Why it's listed
Standing at a rural crossroads on Route 443 east of Schoharie, this two-story brick house with a one-story wing dates to about 1784 and is traditionally credited to Major Joseph Becker, a local hero of Revolutionary War defenses. Its side-hall plan and central chimney are unusual for the area and point to Georgian and early Federal influences from New England. The front is laid in Flemish bond, and the interior keeps its wainscot, chair rail, Federal mantels, window reveals and fanlight entrance. John Becker, Joseph's son, lived here and ran a country store at the intersection. In 1851 Jacob Shutter bought the property and, after the Schoharie and Albany Plank Road opened, turned it into a tavern. A post office followed, and the hamlet became Shutters Corners. The brick wing was probably added then. A brick smokehouse and three frame outbuildings remain on the roughly ten-acre setting.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is chiefly historically significant as one of the two earliest surviving structures in the area, built by a pioneering Palatine German family. It served as the home of the area's first storekeeper, and in the mid-nineteenth century as a tavern and post office on the Plank Road, which gave the hamlet its name, Shutters Corners. It also keeps much original fabric and shows Georgian and early Federal influences.
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 79001631, listed November 20, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E of Schoharie on NY 443, Schoharie |
|---|---|
| County | Schoharie County |
| Listed | November 20, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001631 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Joseph Becker |
| Architectural style | Georgian / early Federal (vernacular) |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as little changed and retaining its original wainscot, mantels and front entrance. Listed as a private residence, with a brick smokehouse and three frame outbuildings on the property. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 42.67579, -74.25310 (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 79001631.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4878655
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.