Ritter, Simon, Cobblestone Farmhouse
Why it's listed
Set on the west side of Route 89 above Cayuga Lake in Varick, this cobblestone farmhouse anchors a 143.9-acre farmstead that began as dairy land and is now a vineyard. The two-story house, believed to date from the early 1830s, was built for Simon Ritter, who acquired the land in 1824. Its walls are variously colored field cobbles laid in horizontal rows, with limestone quoins, lintels and sills. A Federal-style entrance with sidelights and a transom contrasts with large paired brackets added under the eaves in the Victorian period, probably by the younger Simon Ritter. Two frame barns, one showing Pennsylvania Dutch/German features, a carriage shed, a limestone carriage step and a ca. 1900 boathouse complete the group. The house was listed for its architecture: it is a well-preserved example of early cobblestone construction, and the only cobblestone building ever built in Varick. Many other Seneca County examples have been lost or altered. Interior features are largely modern.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a substantially intact, representative example of cobblestone construction from the Early Period (ca. 1825-1835) in Seneca County. It is also a good example of vernacular Federal style domestic architecture, with a later Italianate overlay of paired brackets. It is reported to be the only cobblestone building ever built in Varick. The farm buildings are also significant as representative 19th century farm buildings.
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 08001081, listed November 18, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 5102 NY Rt. 89, Varick |
|---|---|
| County | Seneca County |
| Listed | November 18, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08001081 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1830s-1900 |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century: Greek Revival (described in the text as late Federal/early Greek Revival with Italianate ornamentation) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently a single dwelling on a working vineyard farmstead; the interior is mostly modern, though the exterior is highly intact. |
| Acreage | 144 |
| Coordinates | 42.78096, -76.77408 (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 08001081.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7519650
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.