Smith-Ely Mansion
Why it's listed
Standing at the northwest corner of West Genesee and Lock Streets in Clyde, this brick residence began as a house of about 1850 and was enlarged in the Victorian Gothic manner in the mid-1870s, when Dr. Jarvis Smith and his wife owned it. Between 1908 and 1911 their daughter, Eugenia C. Ely, had it remodeled into a formal mansion. The Victorian veranda and tower were removed, and a four-columned portico, a classical entrance frame and a roof balustrade were added. Inside, a central hall with a vaulted ceiling recalls Italian Renaissance motifs, while the living and dining rooms show English character. Assessment records show its value more than doubled during the work, making it the most valuable house in the village by 1910. The balustrade and some portico details have been lost, yet the house is considered the village's most distinctive Classical Revival building and a clear example of layered remodeling.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the most prominent and distinctive example of Classical Revival architecture in Clyde. The 1908-1911 remodeling replaced a Victorian veranda and tower with a colossal portico and classical detailing, and the building keeps most of its early twentieth century interior features. It illustrates how 1870s houses were subordinated to early twentieth century improvements.
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 92000032, listed February 10, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 39 W. Genesee St., Clyde |
|---|---|
| County | Wayne County |
| Listed | February 10, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000032 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1908-11 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current functions are listed as commerce/trade/business and multiple dwelling; the form says the building retains fair overall integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 43.08522, -76.87329 (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 92000032.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7544905
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.