Raymond, Charles and Joseph, Houses
Also known as: Alfred's Victorian Restaurant
Why it's listed
Two stone and brick mansions built for brothers face each other across North Union Street in Middletown. The Joseph Raymond House at 37 North Union Street was completed in 1889, and the Charles Raymond House at 38 North Union Street followed in 1891. Both use rusticated stone on the first story and brick above, with towers, conical roofs, dormers, and cast-iron cresting. The Charles Raymond House is the more ornate of the pair, with several elaborate spindle grilles, inlaid ceramic floors, mirrored vestibule walls, and a stained glass comma-shaped window in its dormer. Interiors in both houses include carved wainscoting, leaf-and-flower door motifs, and fireplaces faced with decorative tiles. The houses are regarded as fine examples of the Queen Anne style at the height of its popularity, and they remain among the most elaborate large Victorian buildings in Middletown.
Significance in brief: The houses are presented as fine examples of the elaborate decorative Queen Anne style at the height of its popularity in the Victorian period. The two structures are said to typify the variety of decoration and detail found in that style. The Charles Raymond House is described as among the most elaborate and detailed large Victorian structures in Middletown.
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 79002221, listed August 1, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 38 and 37 N. Union St, Middletown |
|---|---|
| County | Dauphin County |
| Listed | August 1, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002221 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The Charles Raymond House is used as a restaurant; the carriage house is in poor shape and needs roof and wall repair. The Joseph Raymond House has been altered very little. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.19562, -76.73131 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 79002221.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5083999
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.