Dale, Samuel F., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1875 in Franklin, this large two-story brick residence is a 2nd Empire house with a mansard roof covered in original slate. Italianate arched dormers project from the roof, and a dentilled rim lines its top edge. Tin scroll trim gives the main-story windows a dripstone effect, and the entrance doors are arched walnut with original oval etched glass. The interior retains its original dining-room chandelier, carved ceiling trim, parquet floor and Italian marble fireplaces, with most original hardware still in use. The house was built for Samuel F. Dale, a businessman whose ventures included a stage coach line between Erie and Pittsburgh, iron works at Franklin Furnace, and railroad construction. The house is regarded as a good local example of its style and the only house of its size and quality in this part of the state.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a good local example of the 2nd Empire style, with red brick and Victorian detailing skillfully combined, and that no other house of this size and quality exists in this part of the state. It is also significant as the home of Samuel F. Dale, a prominent businessman whose commercial and industrial ventures shaped local and statewide life.
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 75001670, listed December 4, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1409 Elk St., Franklin |
|---|---|
| County | Venango County |
| Listed | December 4, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001670 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1875 |
| Architectural style | 2nd Empire |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house is in an excellent state of preservation with its original slate roof intact; the kitchen was replaced in 1972 and the carriage house was converted to a five-car garage. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Within district | Franklin Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.39857, -79.83429 (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 75001670.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7411344
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.