Locust Grove
Also known as: Haldeman Mansion
Why it's listed
Near Bainbridge in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, stands a stone house of the late 18th century, dated to about 1782 and known as the Haldeman Mansion. Built of native sandstone rubble with sandstone quoins, it is valued for its workmanship, including a highly ornate main staircase with turned newels and a massive central chimney with dual first-floor fireplaces. Samuel Steman Haldeman, a scientist who wrote some 150 works on natural history, language and archaeology, was born in the house in 1812 and lived there until his marriage in 1835. His 1851 paper On Species and their Distribution is noted for anticipating questions later developed by Charles Darwin, who cited it in the preface to On the Origin of Species. The grounds also hold archaeological importance. Excavations in 1970 uncovered about 70 Conoy burials from a village of 1718 to 1743, along with over 25,000 glass beads and trade goods, and a mid-16th century Shenks Ferry component lies beneath the site.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its fine stonework, proportions and interior staircase and chimney systems. It also cites the birthplace of scientist Samuel Steman Haldeman, whose 1851 paper on species distribution is said to have influenced Charles Darwin. The site is also significant archaeologically, containing part of a Conoy Indian village cemetery and an earlier mid-16th century Shenks Ferry occupation.
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 77001171, listed August 3, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S of Bainbridge off PA 441, Bainbridge |
|---|---|
| County | Lancaster County |
| Listed | August 3, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77001171 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | circa 1782 |
| Areas of significance | Historic - Aboriginal, Science, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Acreage | 2.6 |
| Coordinates | 40.07913, -76.66015 (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 77001171.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6666112
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.