Ward, M. J., Feed Mill Complex
Why it's listed
Close to the railroad tracks at the southeast corner of Cameron and Morris Streets in Bath, this small complex centers on a three-story brick feed mill and farm store built in 1909. The stud-framed building has a brick veneer, a hipped roof and a deep concrete basement. Its long plan follows a rail siding, with freight doors and a pit for receiving bulk feed directly from railroad cars. Open interior floors have allowed equipment and storage to change over time. Nearby are a balloon-framed barn of about 1870, once a wagon and paint shop and moved in 1956, and an Italianate house of the same period that served the Ward family and later mill employees. Grain bins and silos added in 1976, and a concrete block storage building, are noncontributing. The group is considered locally significant as a well-preserved example of a small-town rail-served feed mill. Three generations of the Ward family have owned it since 1932, and its patterned brickwork marks a visible entrance to the village.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the complex is an intact, representative example of a rail-served bulk goods handling facility typical of small agricultural towns in New York. The mill has been in continuous use since 1909 and adapted to a changing farm economy. Its patterned brick design and prominent site at a main entry to the village add to its local importance, as does its link between agriculture and the railroads.
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 91000236, listed March 18, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1--9 Cameron St., Bath |
|---|---|
| County | Steuben County |
| Listed | March 18, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000236 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1909-c1932 |
| Architectural style | No style/multi-story commercial brick; Italianate (residence) |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Mill in continuous use since 1909 as a feed mill and farm supply store; the house continues in common ownership with the mill. Brick work is described as in exceptional condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.33248, -77.32305 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 91000236.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6712701
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.