Meason, Isaac, House
Also known as: Mt. Braddock; Dr. Christopher Gist Plantation
Why it's listed
Built in 1802 near Mount Braddock in Fayette County, the Isaac Meason House is a two-and-a-half-story Georgian dwelling of stone. Its plan is completely symmetrical, with a wing on each side and a stone outbuilding set some distance from each wing. The central pavilion carries a paneled, pedimented entrance with a fan transom, pilasters with Ionic capitals and dentiled moulding, and the pavilion roof has its own pediment and fan window. The second floor window above the entrance has a fanlight. The house sits on land once owned by Christopher Gist, who settled the area around 1753 and later built a stone and log house there after the French expulsion. Isaac Meason, who came to Western Pennsylvania in 1765, bought the property before 1802. He was active in the early iron industry, helped build the first bridge across the Youghiogheny River, and served in the Pennsylvania Assembly, the Supreme Executive Council and as an associate judge of Fayette County. The house is valued for its architecture and its association with these figures.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of the finest homes in Western Pennsylvania, citing its symmetrical Georgian design and elegant entrance. It also links the property to Christopher Gist's earlier settlement and to Isaac Meason's roles in the iron industry, bridge building, public service and the Whiskey Rebellion era.
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 71000707, listed January 25, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | U.S. 119 North, Mount Braddock |
|---|---|
| County | Fayette County |
| Listed | January 25, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000707 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1802 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated June 21, 1990 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Original site and unaltered per the condition checklist; the form also marks it as in good condition. |
| Acreage | 9.5 |
| Coordinates | 39.95394, -79.64823 (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 71000707.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6076779
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.