Royer, Daniel, House
Why it's listed
Built of roughly finished limestone in at least two sections, the Royer House in Williamsburg, Blair County, began as a three-bay, two-story section completed in 1815 with a side-hall plan. A wing followed, probably in the 1840s, and a cast iron supported porch over the entrance was probably added around 1870. The main facade has six-over-six windows, panelled shutters, a boxed cornice, and a panelled door flanked by pilasters with a transom and sidelights. The house is regarded as one of the finer surviving examples of vernacular architecture in western Pennsylvania, combining frontier simplicity with Georgian details such as panelling and mouldings that recall the eastern Pennsylvania origins of its occupants. It is also tied to early iron-making. Daniel Royer and his son Samuel operated several forges in the area from about 1810 until 1884, and the house reflects the family's prosperity. Most of its original woodwork and interior detail survive.
Significance in brief: The house is significant as an example of vernacular architecture with Georgian-style refinements that reflect the origins of its inhabitants, and as a remnant of early iron-making and industrial development in western Pennsylvania. The Royer family, beginning with Daniel and son Samuel, operated several forges in the area from about 1810 until 1884, and the house reflects the ironmasters' prosperity.
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 75001620, listed November 3, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 5 mi. SW of Williamsburg on PA 866, Woodbury Township, Williamsburg |
|---|---|
| County | Blair County |
| Listed | November 3, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001620 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1815-1884 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular with Georgian style elements |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house is in a state of neglect and disrepair, though its important features remain intact and it is in danger of further deterioration. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 40.42365, -78.26992 (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 75001620.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5218640
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.