Bates, Rufus and Flora, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1828 on a high bank above Six Mile Creek, the house at 107 Giles Street in Ithaca is a one-and-one-half-story Greek Revival dwelling with side gables, clapboard siding, a stone foundation and a one-story wing. Its five symmetrical bays, center entry with sidelights and transom, cornice returns and frieze windows reflect the style. Later Italianate updates include a bracketed hood over the door and two-over-two windows on the main block, while older nine- and six-light sash survive at the rear. Inside, the original room layout, plank floors, curving staircase and battered, shouldered window and door trim remain. The house was first oriented toward an old turnpike that was later relocated. It was home to the family of Rufus Bates, a village president of Ithaca and local business figure, from 1866 to 1948. It was listed for its architecture as a rural-style Greek Revival house surviving in a neighborhood where many older properties have been altered.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a representative example of a vernacular Greek Revival dwelling of the early nineteenth century in Central New York. Its five-bay, center-entrance form is more typical of rural areas than of a growing village. It is one of the oldest houses in South Hill and retains its integrity as an early example of the type.
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 10000595, listed August 29, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 107 Giles St, Ithaca |
|---|---|
| County | Tompkins County |
| Listed | August 29, 2010 |
| Reference number | 10000595 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1828 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored in recent years; the basement was converted to an apartment in the 1940s, and the current function is listed as multiple dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.44030, -76.49210 (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 10000595.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7378120
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.