Ricketts, Clemuel, Mansion
Why it's listed
Built of field sandstone in a clearing surrounded by forest in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, the Ricketts Mansion was completed in 1852 by Clemuel Ricketts, who had bought 5,000 acres around Long Pond, now Ganoga Lake, to build a hunting and fishing lodge. The two and one-half story house has a gable roof, a five-by-two bay main section, and a full-length front porch with a Federal entrance. Locals called it Ricketts' Folly during construction, but it was regarded as a fine example of Georgian vernacular architecture in a remote area. After the Civil War, Colonel Robert Bruce Ricketts acquired the house and expanded the estate. A 1913 addition added a wing and dormers. The mansion is significant for its architecture, its early use as a tavern and residence, and its link to a nearby hotel and one of the first summer camps for boys in the region.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an outstanding example of late Georgian vernacular architecture, built in a very remote area by a builder whose tenacity is seen in the project. It also links the property to the North Mountain House hotel, an early summer camp for boys, and a 1935 Historic American Buildings Survey documentation.
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 83002284, listed June 9, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Off PA 487, Lopez |
|---|---|
| County | Sullivan County |
| Listed | June 9, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83002284 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1852 |
| Architect / builder | Clemuel Ricketts |
| Architectural style | Georgian vernacular |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Retains original woodwork and hardware; plumbing and electricity were updated after 1913. |
| Acreage | 2.2 |
| Coordinates | 41.35206, -76.32007 (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 83002284.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5131595
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.