Griffey, Benjamin, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1886 by local builder Benjamin Griffey as his own residence, this two-and-a-half-story brick house is finished in smooth stucco and set back from the road behind a formal square garden. A two-story bay window with three facings dominates the front, flanked by decorative porches, and the windows have rounded arches. Inside, the hall holds a staircase rising to the attic, the living room has 15-foot ceilings and a molded center, and the doors and woodwork are walnut. Griffey had earlier rebuilt the White Deer grist mill after an 1850 fire and built the White Deer Woolen Mills, which supplied blankets to Union soldiers during the Civil War. The house passed through a daughter to the Fairchild family, and Helen Fairchild, who grew up there, became a local figure after she died serving at the Front in France during World War I. It is regarded as one of the finest rural Victorian houses in the county.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of the finest rural Victorian houses in Union County, citing its elaborate trim, interior woodwork and craftsmanship as evidence of Griffey's skill as a builder. It also links the property to Griffey's earlier mill and woolen mill work and to Helen Fairchild, a nurse who died serving in France in World War I.
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 78002474, listed September 13, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | W of Allenwood on PA 44, Allenwood |
|---|---|
| County | Union County |
| Listed | September 13, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002474 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | circa 1886 |
| Architect / builder | Benjamin Griffey (builder) |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house is in fair condition, with rotted porches, fallen spoutings and a foundation needing attention. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 41.12181, -76.96512 (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 78002474.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4888729
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.