Barden Cobblestone Farmhouse
Why it's listed
Set among cultivated fields on the north side of Ferguson Corners Road in Benton, this farmhouse was built around 1843 of small, multi-colored fieldstones laid in horizontal rows and bonded with limestone mortar. The five-bay, center-hall main block rises one and one-half stories on a rusticated stone foundation. Limestone quoins and lintels with hammered panels frame its corners and openings, and a wide plain frieze with small attic windows reflects the Greek Revival style. A one-story cobblestone kitchen wing, a detached cobblestone wing, two sheds, two dry-laid stone wells and a stone hitching post survive on the 4.32-acre parcel. Inside, original floors, trim, a molded parlor surround and a mantel with fluted pilasters remain. A porch with turned posts and scroll-sawn brackets was added in the late nineteenth century. The house was listed for its architecture: it is a well-preserved example of Middle Period cobblestone masonry and of vernacular Greek Revival farmhouse design in Yates County. Its farm was once about 210 acres.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a largely intact example of cobblestone construction in New York State, typical of the Middle Period (ca. 1835-1845). It is also a representative example of vernacular Greek Revival rural domestic architecture in the Finger Lakes Region. It is one of nine surviving cobblestone buildings in Yates County.
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 92000435, listed May 11, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2492 Ferguson Corners Rd., Benton |
|---|---|
| County | Yates County |
| Listed | May 11, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000435 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1843 - ca. 1920 |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century; Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling. Nearly all of the original farm's major outbuildings have been lost, and most of the original 210 acres is now a separately owned working farm. |
| Acreage | 4.3 |
| Coordinates | 42.75462, -77.07348 (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 92000435.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4860121
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.