Packer, Isaac A., Farm
Why it's listed
Built of coursed sandstone in 1885 on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Woodward Township, the Packer farmhouse is a two-and-a-half-story L-shaped dwelling with a central hall plan. Isaac A. Packer, a former river boatman and lumber-era businessman, commissioned it, and a date plaque on the north elevation names Alan Lawrence as builder. Stone was rarely used for houses in lumber-rich Clinton County, and the builder's origin is unknown, which the nomination links to the uncommon material. Its Victorian Gothic features include a central cross gable, pointed windows, contrasting brick lintels and gables, and ornate bargeboards. The interior retains a marble mantel from the 1830s and herringbone woodwork in the south parlor. A 1905 bank barn built by Kinley D. Packer after a fire stands on the property. The house is valued for its distinctive combination of stone construction and Gothic detail in its local setting.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a rare vernacular interpretation of the Victorian Gothic style, unusual in Clinton County where frame and brick construction predominate. Its use of stone with Victorian Gothic details is described as unparalleled locally, and the farm complex is presented as eligible under Criterion C.
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 91000092, listed February 21, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Farrandsville Rd. along W. Branch of the Susquehanna R., Woodward Township, Lock Haven |
|---|---|
| County | Clinton County |
| Listed | February 21, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000092 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1885-1905 |
| Architect / builder | Alan Lawrence (builder) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian Gothic Vernacular |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Remains a residence; the front porch was lost in the 1936 flood and replaced by a later addition, and the asphalt roof replaced slate. |
| Acreage | 1.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.16621, -77.46979 (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 91000092.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6075798
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.