Webster, James Russell, House
Why it's listed
This brick house at 115 East Main Street in Waterloo, New York, is a monumental temple-front dwelling built in 1850-55 for James Russell Webster. Its main block has a pedimented portico carried on four massive fluted columns, and it is flanked by lower side wings. In the 1870s Webster added second stories to both wings and applied Italianate touches, including a projecting bay window, floor-length windows and marble mantelpieces, while most of the Greek Revival interior was kept. Plaster walls and hardwood floors survive. Webster, born in 1806, prospered in milling, mercantile work and import/export ventures after moving to Waterloo in 1842. He supported the local Presbyterian church and worked with Ezra Cornell on a telegraph line. The house is valued as a remarkably intact example of nineteenth-century domestic architecture in the village and for its link to Webster. Rear additions are the main changes, and the house remains a single-family residence.
Significance in brief: It is argued to be an intact, outstanding example of a temple-front Greek Revival dwelling overlaid with Italianate ornamentation (Criterion C). It is also tied to James Russell Webster, a leading Waterloo citizen in the second half of the nineteenth century (Criterion B).
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 07001255, listed December 11, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 115 E. Main St., Waterloo |
|---|---|
| County | Seneca County |
| Listed | December 11, 2007 |
| Reference number | 07001255 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1850 - 1876 |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century: Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; the form reports a high degree of integrity, with a 1985 ballroom, a garage and a 1951 Florida room added at the rear as non-contributing additions. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.90633, -76.85887 (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 07001255.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6142562
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.