Ward, Caleb T., Mansion
Also known as: Ward,Caleb T.,Mansion
Why it's listed
Perched on the crest of Ward's Hill with views over New York Harbor, this three-story stuccoed brick mansion on Staten Island was built about 1835 for Caleb Tompkins Ward. It once sat within a 250-acre estate. George B. Davis is credited as builder, though the architect is unknown. Its two-story Ionic portico, entrance enframement and interior cornices were drawn from Minard Lafever's popular builder guides, while the five-bay cubic form follows older Georgian and Federal patterns. The house passed to Ward's son Albert, a local judge, and in 1904 to Sally Nixon, wife of naval architect and Tammany Hall head Lewis Nixon. In 1923 it was divided into six apartments, altering the portico pediment and roofline ornament, though the central hall, oval staircase, cornices and fireplaces survive. The nomination values it as one of the city's finest Greek Revival buildings and one of the last great residences from Staten Island's fashionable resort era.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of New York City's finest examples of Greek Revival architecture, with detail copied from Minard Lafever's builder guide books. It is also one of the last great houses from the period when Staten Island's north shore was a fashionable resort for wealthy New Yorkers. It has been home to prominent families, including shipbuilder and Tammany Hall leader Lewis Nixon.
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 82003401, listed July 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 141 Nixon Ave., New York |
|---|---|
| County | Staten Island |
| Listed | July 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82003401 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | George B. Davis (builder); architect unknown |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as a private residence in good, altered condition; converted in 1923 from a single-family house to six apartments. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 40.63438, -74.08097 (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 82003401.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5019315
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.