Butler, Cyrus, House
Why it's listed
Built apparently between 1830 and 1834, this large two-story brick house on Edison Highway in Birmingham, Erie County, reflects the shift from Federal to Greek Revival design. The nearly square main block has three bays on the south facade, stepped parapets at the gable ends, two chimneys at each end, and stone lintels with a stepped shape. Inside, the side stairhall has a fine balustrade with an acanthus-leaf newel post, and seven fireplaces carry Greek Revival mantelpieces. The house was built for Cyrus Butler, who came to Norwalk in 1820, served as county treasurer and auditor, and moved to Florence Township in 1827. There he opened a store, became the first postmaster in Birmingham, and bought the saw mill and grist mill, also running a forge. Its close resemblance to the 1832 Kimball house in Norwalk suggests the same builder. The main part of the house remains largely unaltered.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an excellent late Federal-early Greek Revival residence whose structure and ornamental detail are virtually in mint condition. It was also the home of Cyrus Butler, one of the preeminent citizens and businessmen of Florence Township and the first postmaster in Birmingham. The house closely resembles Moses Kimball's 1832 house in Norwalk, suggesting the same builder.
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 76001416, listed March 17, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Edison Hwy., Birmingham |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | March 17, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001416 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1830-1834 |
| Architectural style | Federal-Greek Revival transitional |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent or good condition with no significant alterations to the main part of the house beyond modern utilities; a more modern frame wing holds a recreation room and garage. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.33168, -82.35107 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 76001416.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137768800
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.