Woodland
Also known as: Auman Farm
Why it's listed
Woodland is a farmstead in St. Thomas, Franklin County, built around a 2½ story random-course fieldstone house. The first section was raised about 1760 by William McDowell, three bays across and two deep, with chimneys on each gable end and a moulded cornice. A second limestone section of similar form followed in 1790, built under Captain William McDowell, the son of the first builder. A frame section was added to the rear in 1907, and a two-story porch and a hip-roofed porch with Doric columns were added later. The property has been farmed for more than 200 years. Captain McDowell served in the Philadelphia and Yorktown campaigns and kept a journal of his two years under General Wayne. During the French and Indian War the residents fled several times, and during the Civil War Confederate forces took over the house during the raid on Chambersburg. The house is valued for its large, plain native limestone construction and for expanding without changing its style or material.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the property has served as a farming complex for over 200 years and that its main house is a fine example of a rural stone farmhouse enlarged over time without changing its style or building material. It also cites the family's Revolutionary War service and the house's use during the French and Indian War and the Civil War raid on Chambersburg.
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 73001633, listed September 20, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | SW of St. Thomas on PA 416, St. Thomas |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | September 20, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001633 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1760 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Original site; altered; interior restored; springhouse partially altered after 1910 and now single story with shed roof. |
| Acreage | 169 |
| Coordinates | 39.89417, -77.83633 (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 73001633.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8032807
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.