Buffett, Eliphas, House
Why it's listed
Along the winding West Rogues Path in Cold Spring Harbor, once a stagecoach route from Huntington to Brooklyn, stands a farmhouse built in two stages. The east wing, a one-story, three-bay section, dates to about 1800, while the two-story west wing was added around 1835 by John Buffett. The older section keeps its timber frame, single sheathing, frieze windows and a massive interior end chimney. The newer wing has a molded fascia board and a classically inspired door surround with pilasters, transom and sidelights, reflecting a local version of Greek Revival style. The property of about three acres also holds a late nineteenth century barn, a shed and a Buffett family cemetery with about a dozen graves. The house is associated with the Buffett family, early settlers who owned it until the late nineteenth century. Its largely unaltered condition makes it a rare surviving link to Huntington's early growth, though locals know it as the John Buffett House.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a distinctive, largely unaltered example of settlement period architecture in Huntington. The c. 1800 wing retains timber framing, single sheathing and a three-bay side-entrance plan, and the c. 1835 wing shows a locally interpreted Greek Revival style. It is also tied to the locally prominent Buffett family, and its cemetery and late nineteenth century outbuildings survive in a heavily developed town.
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 85002495, listed September 26, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 159 W. Rogues Path, Centerport |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | September 26, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002495 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; builder: east wing, Elisha Buffett; west wing, John Buffett (the narrative also credits the original wing to Eliphas Buffett) |
| Architectural style | Settlement period; locally interpreted Greek Revival (west wing) |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, on its original site, with no known threats; the form lists private ownership and a continuing private house use. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 40.83776, -73.44355 (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 85002495.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5361295
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.