Wallace, Jonathan, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1828 at 99 Market Street in Potsdam, this two-story sandstone house was home to Jonathan Wallace, an early settler and Universalist minister who came to the village in 1823 to organize a congregation. Its walls are red Potsdam Sandstone laid in slab and binder masonry, alternating rows of vertical and thinner horizontal stones, a method possibly unique to the area. The five-bay front, hipped roof and fanlit doorway blend Federal and Georgian features, and the interior retains painted woodwork, a parlor fireplace and a brick-lined cellar. About 1846 Wallace's son William, a lawyer, judge and village president, added a matching rear wing. The house was among the first in Potsdam built in the slab and binder technique and probably helped popularize it. It is recognized for its architecture, its role in early settlement, and its link to two prominent local figures. It remains a residence today.
Significance in brief: It is argued to be a highly intact and distinguished example of an early settlement period Federal style residence built in slab and binder sandstone masonry, a technique possibly unique to the Potsdam area. It is also associated with Jonathan Wallace, who founded a Universalist congregation, and his son William Wallace, a lawyer, judge and civic leader.
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 03000028, listed June 6, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 99 Market St., Potsdam |
|---|---|
| County | St. Lawrence County |
| Listed | June 6, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000028 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1828-1877 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic / Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a single dwelling; the rear wing is used as a rental apartment. The masonry is described as mostly in good condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.67201, -74.98719 (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 03000028.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14706703
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.