Coldbrook Farm
Why it's listed
Coldbrook is a stone house of about 1800 on a knoll above Falling Spring Creek in northeastern Chambersburg. Its two-story central block of five bays is flanked by two wings, and the wings are recessed about a foot from the main facade. Judge James Riddle is associated with its construction, and the layout of the east wing is taken as evidence that he ran a law school there. Its main significance is its interior woodwork, with fireplace mantels, fluted pilasters, and alcoves that show the move from Georgian to Federal styling around 1800-1810. Local limestone, which was readily available in the valley, is used for the walls, and stone construction was uncommon in Franklin County at that time. Colonial Revival additions in the late 19th century, including a colonnaded porch and dormers, were made during the ownership of Augustus Duncan, who held the property from 1876 until 1910. Its size, original trim and long role as a country estate are the reasons for its recognition.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is among the most imposing houses of its period in Franklin County, notable for its unusual size and its interior woodwork, which shows the transition from Georgian to Federal styles. It also cites the use of local limestone and the property's long history as a gentleman's country estate, with Colonial Revival additions. The document links the farm to James Riddle, a judge who is said to have operated a law school there.
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 96000321, listed March 28, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 955 Spring Ln., Chambersburg |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | March 28, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000321 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | C. 1800-1900 |
| Architectural style | Georgian; Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently in use as a residence with a kitchen, family room addition and garage; the barn is covered in asbestos shingle siding. |
| Acreage | 10.8 |
| Coordinates | 39.93540, -77.64191 (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 96000321.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5142501
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.