Orris, Adam, House
Why it's listed
Built c. 1887 by Adam Orris, a Mechanicsburg businessman, this three-story brick house on West Main Street combines a Second Empire form, with its tin mansard roof and projecting bays, with Victorian ornament. Its tower, label-molded windows, and porch with turned posts remain largely intact on the exterior. Inside, the house retains cherry pocket doors, marble mantels with Eastlake designs, crystal chandeliers, and beveled and etched glass. Orris was a partner in the Eberly and Orris Wheel Works, which made wheels and wheel parts for markets across the United States and abroad and employed up to 150 people. Built on a three-quarter acre lot beside a twin house, the residence is regarded locally as the finest Second Empire house in the borough. It also keeps its original brick carriage house. From 1919 to 1926 the house served as the United Methodist Home for Children.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a locally significant example of the Second Empire style, regarded as the finest of its kind in the borough. Its interior retains high-quality period detailing and its exterior is largely unaltered. It is also linked to Orris's role as a prominent local businessman and partner in the Eberly and Orris Wheel Works.
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 87002206, listed December 30, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 318 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg |
|---|---|
| County | Cumberland County |
| Listed | December 30, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87002206 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | C. 1887 |
| Architect / builder | Orris, Adam (builder); architect unknown |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored to original condition by the present owners in 1984-1986; used as a private residence since 1927. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Coordinates | 40.21170, -77.01390 (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 87002206.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4679568
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.