Abbott, John, House
Why it's listed
Abbottstown, in Adams County, Pennsylvania, grew around a house built by settler John Abbott, probably before 1750 and possibly as early as about 1740. The two-story structure began as a clapboard-sheathed log dwelling, joined to a stone kitchen that later gained a second story. Abbott held a tavern license for the property from 1750 and described himself as an innkeeper, and the tavern is considered one of the earliest commercial ventures in the area. He also sold lots in the new town from 1763 and held public posts including tax collector and overseer of the poor. The house is significant as Abbott's home and tavern and as a record of building change from the 1700s through the 1900s. Its interior woodwork, mantels and built-in cabinets show a high level of craftsmanship, and the additions reflect the town's growth. Deterioration has increased in recent decades.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house was the original home of the settler and founder of Abbottstown, and that Abbott operated a tavern there from 1750 to at least 1763, one of the earliest commercial ventures in the area. It also treats the house as a record of architectural development in the Abbottstown area across the 18th and 19th centuries, and as typical of local vernacular building that grew with the town.
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 80003394, listed February 22, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E. King St., Abbottstown |
|---|---|
| County | Adams County |
| Listed | February 22, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80003394 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The document describes deterioration in recent decades and notes that stabilization and conservation actions were in progress. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 39.88723, -76.98156 (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 80003394.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6218032
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.