Grey, Zane, House
Why it's listed
Set on a bluestone foundation just south of where the Lackawaxen and Delaware Rivers meet in northeastern Pennsylvania, this two-story frame house was begun in 1905 by Romer Cedar Grey, brother of the novelist Zane Grey. Zane Grey, who had left a dental practice in New York City to write, moved in with his new wife, Lina Elise Roth, that year. In 1912, he added a north wing with a writing study, where he composed nine novels in longhand on a lap board, including Desert Gold and The Rainbow Trail. Grey's books sold in the tens of millions and were serialized in major magazines. The house is listed for its association with his career as the author who did most to define the popular image of the American West. The interior retains original trim, fireplaces, and a 1915 painted frieze of Southwest Indian motifs by the illustrator Lillian E. Wilhelm. It now holds a museum collection of Grey memorabilia.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its association with Zane Grey, described as America's most popular novelist of the Old West. It was where he began his writing career and composed a dozen early Western novels, including Riders of the Purple Sage, in the north study he added in 1912.
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 83002283, listed May 6, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Roebling Rd., Lackawaxen |
|---|---|
| County | Pike County |
| Listed | May 6, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83002283 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1905-1918 |
| Architect / builder | Romer Cedar Grey (Zane Grey's brother), builder of the 1905 house; Gottlieb Kuhn, builder of the 1912 north wing |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Literature |
| Level of significance | National |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.48557, -74.98727 (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 83002283.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8066104
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.