Nichols, William, Cobblestone Farmhouse
Why it's listed
Set on a 69.4-acre parcel along Alexander Road in Benton, Yates County, this cobblestone farmhouse was built around 1844. The one and one-half story, L-shaped house is faced with small, reddish, oval lake-washed cobbles laid at an angle, with six cobbles per quoin on the front facade. Gray limestone lintels, sills and quoins, a wide frieze, cornice returns and a recessed front entrance with fluted Doric columns give it Greek Revival character. Outbuildings include an early twentieth century garage and dairy barn, a stone well, and a small cobblestone smokehouse with herringbone masonry. The house is described as one of the most finely crafted cobblestone buildings in Yates County, representing the late Middle Period of cobblestone construction, and as a high-style example of Greek Revival farmhouse design in the region. Most of the original farm has been subdivided, but the remaining acreage preserves an agricultural setting. The period of significance runs to about 1920 to include the barn and garage.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a highly intact example of cobblestone construction in New York State, typical of the late Middle Period (ca. 1835-1845) and among the finest in Yates County. It is also a high-style rather than vernacular example of Greek Revival rural domestic architecture in the Finger Lakes region. The cobblestone smokehouse is a rare surviving cobblestone farm dependency with herringbone masonry.
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 92000437, listed May 11, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Alexander Rd. W of jct. with Thistle St. Rd., Benton |
|---|---|
| County | Yates County |
| Listed | May 11, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000437 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1844 - ca. 1920 |
| 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 use is a single dwelling; the smokehouse is described as deteriorated and obscured by overgrowth. |
| Acreage | 69.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.75786, -77.03812 (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 92000437.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8016130
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.