Bates Cobblestone Farmhouse
Why it's listed
Built about 1836, reputedly as a tenant house, this one-story, five-bay farmhouse in Middlesex, Yates County, is faced with cobblestones laid in horizontal rows and bonded with limestone mortar. Irregular field cobbles of varied size and color are set four stones per quoin on the front and three on the sides. The limestone quoins, sills and lintels carry no decorative tooling. Its gable roof has a plain wooden cornice, and a frame kitchen wing was added in the early twentieth century. Inside, the original room layout survives, with parlors in the front corners. The house is one of nine surviving cobblestone buildings in Yates County and is typical of the Middle Period of cobblestone work. Some rows above two front windows use a herringbone pattern, an early example of that technique. It was also recognized as a representative rural vernacular dwelling of the early nineteenth century. A garage, a 1932 barn and a silo on the 50.8-acre parcel contribute to the farm setting.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it 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 early nineteenth century rural vernacular domestic architecture in the Finger Lakes region. Three historic outbuildings help preserve the setting and feeling of the farm.
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 92000436, listed May 11, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 5521 NY 364, Middlesex |
|---|---|
| County | Yates County |
| Listed | May 11, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000436 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1836 - ca. 1932 |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century (vernacular, Federal-period traditions); cobblestone construction |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; the farmhouse interior survives relatively intact, with utilitarian spaces recently remodeled. |
| Acreage | 50.8 |
| Coordinates | 42.75954, -77.27324 (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 92000436.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4868795
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.