Wildcliff
Also known as: Lawton, Cyrus, House
Why it's listed
Wildcliff is a stone villa on Davenport's Neck in New Rochelle, set on a 1.23-acre parcel about forty feet above Echo Bay and Long Island Sound. Built around 1852 from designs by architect Alexander Jackson Davis, it was enlarged in the mid-1860s, probably also by Davis, and again around 1919, when a half-timbered gable, porte-cochère and other features were added. The rubblestone walls use varied Westchester stones, and steep gables with scalloped wooden bargeboards give the house its picturesque profile. Its original plan of library, parlor, dining room and lower kitchen wing follows the arrangement recommended by Andrew Jackson Downing for a villa of moderate size. The exterior keeps a high degree of integrity, though much interior detail has been lost. The house is recognized as a fine example of Davis's Gothic Revival country houses and belongs to a group of modest, asymmetrical stone villas he designed in Westchester County and nearby. Part of it now serves as a theater.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that Wildcliff is an excellent example of the picturesque villa designs of Alexander Jackson Davis, a leading American architect of the nineteenth century. It shows typical Davis features such as asymmetrical massing, steep bargeboarded gables, thick stone walls, chimneys and projecting bays, and it follows the villa plan recommended by Andrew Jackson Downing. The exterior retains a high degree of integrity.
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 02001656, listed December 31, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 42 Wildcliff Rd., New Rochelle |
|---|---|
| County | Westchester County |
| Listed | December 31, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02001656 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1852-c. 1919 |
| Architect / builder | Davis, Alexander Jackson |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century: Gothic Revival; Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals: Tudor Revival |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historically a single dwelling; the current function is listed as recreation and culture (theater). The property is publicly owned (local) and includes a modern one-story addition that does not contribute. |
| Acreage | 1.2 |
| Coordinates | 40.90653, -73.76959 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 02001656.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8001034
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.