Good, John B., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1847 of local fieldstone, this two and one-half story farmhouse in Bowmansville has a gable roof, a one-story full-length front porch, and a five-by-two bay plan. Its original office area, reached by an off-set side door, served John B. Good for surveying and legal work. The house was the home of justices of the peace from 1847 into the 1920s, and it was the only legal service available locally. A ramage flat-bed printing press, used for sale bills and public notices, was housed in a second-floor bedroom from 1876 to 1945. Later owner Frank Stover, also a justice of the peace, bought and sold farm equipment, loaned money, and ran a promotional business from the house. The house is regarded as a well-preserved example of a typical central Pennsylvania stone farmhouse, with refinements that reflect better-than-average construction. Its historical significance lies in its legal, printing, and commercial roles in a small Lancaster County community.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a well preserved, refined example of a typical central Pennsylvania stone farmhouse. It served as the residence and office of the local justice of the peace and as a center for printing and commercial and legal activity in a small community. The nomination also cites John B. Good's history of Brecknock Township as a key local historical source.
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 80003507, listed February 8, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | PA 625, Bowmansville |
|---|---|
| County | Lancaster County |
| Listed | February 8, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80003507 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1847-1945 |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Property was rebuilt in part; the summer kitchen was being rebuilt and the rear barn needed repair at the time of nomination. |
| Acreage | 1.2 |
| Coordinates | 40.19675, -76.01708 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
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 80003507.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6219956
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.