Elder, Abraham, Stone House
Also known as: Elder's
Why it's listed
Built in phases in 1808 and 1832 in Halfmoon Valley, Centre County, this five-bay limestone house served as a tavern on the Bellefonte-Pittsburgh Turnpike, opened in 1804. Abraham Elder, the first settler of the valley, built the original stone section on the site of his earlier log house, which had hosted the valley's first public meetings and Presbyterian worship. Elder also kept a store and ran a saw mill and a grist mill. Heavy traffic on the road carried Centre County iron westward to Pittsburgh, and travelers stopped at the house. After Elder died in 1827, his son enlarged the building to the east around 1832. The 1832 section has more carefully coursed, squared stone and an elliptical stone arch framing a fanlight and sidelights over the entrance. The double fireplace in the older section is a rare feature for the period. The building is regarded as a fine example of functional rural architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a key site in the settlement of Centre County and in local commerce, since Abraham Elder was the first settler of Halfmoon Valley and ran a tavern, store, saw mill and grist mill from the property. It also argues the house is a fine example of functional rural architecture, with a rare double fireplace and an arched entrance to the 1832 wing.
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 77001148, listed April 13, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | PA 550, Stormstown |
|---|---|
| County | Centre County |
| Listed | April 13, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77001148 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1808-1832 |
| Architect / builder | Abraham Elder (builder) |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The integrity of the house has not been greatly altered; the original kitchen fireplace was removed, and a modern tin roof was added. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 40.79539, -78.01261 (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 77001148.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4668841
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.