Blythe, Benjamin, Homestead
Also known as: Hazel Glen; Blythstead
Why it's listed
Set at the foot of Reservoir Hill near Gum Run, the Benjamin Blythe Homestead is a limestone complex of a two-story Georgian style house, a kitchen ell, and a large barn measuring 80 by 37 feet. The property is among the earliest homesites in the Shippensburg area, and Benjamin Blythe was one of its first fifteen settlers. Blythe was taxed on the complex in the 1798 Direct Tax for 16 windows of 360 panes. Original features that survive include window glass, door latches and locks, a large bake oven with a double arched door, and crane, along with wooden pegs used in the interior construction. Blythe was a tax collector, served as a colonel in the Cumberland County Battalion during the Revolution, and was wounded at the Battle of Sidling Hill in the French and Indian War. The homestead is regarded as an excellent and well-preserved example of an early Central Pennsylvania homestead, with all recorded original buildings still on the site.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the homestead is one of the earliest homesites in the Shippensburg area and an excellent, well-preserved example of an early Central Pennsylvania homestead. It connects the property to Benjamin Blythe, a settler, tax collector, Revolutionary-era colonel, and veteran of the French and Indian War. The form notes that the original buildings recorded on the site are all still present.
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 77001160, listed September 15, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 217 Means Hollow Rd., Shippensburg |
|---|---|
| County | Cumberland County |
| Listed | September 15, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77001160 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1798 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house, kitchen and barn are described as in excellent condition. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 40.03424, -77.51154 (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 77001160.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4888300
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.