Angus Cobblestone Farmhouse and Barn Complex
Why it's listed
On the west side of Route 14 in Benton, Yates County, a farm of 62.2 acres holds a cobblestone farmhouse built around 1831-34, together with two frame barns and a small shed from the late nineteenth century. The house is one and one-half stories with five bays and a center hall. Its walls are made of field cobbles, set in horizontal rows with limestone mortar, limestone quoins, and lintels. The cobbles are laid in a herringbone pattern, which is unusual for such an early cobblestone building. Greek Revival features include wide entablatures, cornice returns, and an elaborate front entrance with pilasters and a full entablature. Inside, the main rooms retain fine woodwork, a staircase with turned balusters, and wide pine floors. It is one of nine surviving cobblestone buildings in Yates County, and the nomination treats it as an early, somewhat rough example of the technique. The barns and shed are counted as contributing parts of the complex because they keep the farm setting intact.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the farmhouse is a largely intact example of cobblestone construction in New York State and a representative example of mid-nineteenth century vernacular Greek Revival rural domestic architecture in the Finger Lakes Region. Its herringbone cobble pattern is unusual for an early building. The surviving barns and shed help preserve the farmhouse's agrarian setting.
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 92000439, listed May 11, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 612 NY 14, Benton |
|---|---|
| County | Yates County |
| Listed | May 11, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000439 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1831 - ca. 1920s |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century; Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic and current function is a single dwelling; most of the farm is under cultivation. |
| Acreage | 62.2 |
| Coordinates | 42.73404, -76.97446 (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 92000439.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4764089
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.