Thompson, Gen. John, House
Also known as: Plum Bottom
Why it's listed
Built in 1813-1814 by General John Thompson and his wife Elizabeth on Slab Cabin Branch in what is now College Township, this two-story, three-bay farmhouse is built of limestone and sandstone, with walls two feet thick. Its plan follows the Georgian farmhouse pattern common in rural Pennsylvania, with a central hall dividing two rooms on each floor. The stone is laid in a mixture of both types throughout the walls, with the facade sandstone up to the second story and limestone above, a combination the nomination describes as unusual in Centre County. Interior features include original forged-iron hardware, yellow pine floors, built-in cupboards flanking the fireplaces, and a stair with unusual construction details. Thompson was a justice of the peace from 1811 and an elected major general of the militia from 1829. His son Moses later became a major figure in the county's iron industry and transportation projects. The house was listed for its architecture and its association with early county settlement.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a typical Georgian farmhouse of rural Pennsylvania with unusual mixed sandstone and limestone wall construction, and that it is tied to early county settlement and transportation. It also points to the connection of the Thompson family with local education, the iron industry and county roads.
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 78002366, listed March 29, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E. Branch Rd., State College |
|---|---|
| County | Centre County |
| Listed | March 29, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002366 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1813-1814 |
| Architectural style | Georgian farmhouse |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house stands in excellent condition, with a restored summer kitchen and a family room addition from 1958-1959. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 40.79047, -77.83197 (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 78002366.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5530812
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.