Robie, Reuben, House
Also known as: 101-42-0006
Why it's listed
Built about 1847 at 16 West Washington Street in Bath, this two-story brick house is a fashionable example of Greek Revival design. It follows a traditional five-bay, center-entrance, center-hall format, with a gable roof, prominent cornice returns, a wide plain frieze, 6/6 double-hung windows with stone lintels and sills, and louvred shutters. A small flat-roofed portico with paired fluted Doric columns was added around 1900, and a one-and-one-half story brick wing extends from the rear. A board and batten carriage barn with a clapboard ell and a small wood-frame toolshed also contribute to the property. The house was built by Reuben Robie, who in 1826 helped found the Robie Dry Goods store on Liberty Street. Robie served as town clerk, supervisor, postmaster and Steuben County treasurer, and was elected to Congress in 1851 before returning to his Bath business in 1852. He died in 1872. The house remains a residence in good condition just west of the Liberty Street Historic District.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an architecturally significant example of a fashionable Greek Revival dwelling, with its five-bay, center-hall plan, gable roof with cornice returns, wide plain frieze and classical detailing. It is also tied to Reuben Robie, a Bath merchant and civic leader who served in several public offices and in Congress.
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 83001803, listed September 30, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 16 W. Washington St., Bath |
|---|---|
| County | Steuben County |
| Listed | September 30, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001803 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect and builder unknown; built for Reuben Robie |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a residence, in good condition on its original site, with no known threats; a carriage barn and toolshed are contributing outbuildings. |
| Acreage | 2.8 |
| Coordinates | 42.33752, -77.32105 (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 83001803.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7317506
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.