Regester Log House
Why it's listed
Two two-story log houses, joined at right angles so that their gabled roofs meet, form an L-shaped dwelling in Fredericktown, Washington County, Pennsylvania. Rubble masonry foundations raise the house on a steep hill, creating a high basement. The older house, with its central chimney, has simply notched square-hewn logs, while the newer house has saddle-notched logs and a symmetrical window arrangement. Both gable ends are weatherboarded with clapboards, and the second-story sashes are original 19th-century work. The building dates to the second quarter of the 19th century, with a later addition. Log houses were among the first shelters built by settlers in Western Pennsylvania, and this dwelling is regarded as one of the most interesting architectural remains in the district. Its builder's skill in fitting the two houses to the irregular site and in the joinery of roofs, floors and wall corners is cited as a key reason for its importance. The nomination notes that log houses are a vanishing type, so good examples are worth preserving.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that log houses are a vanishing architectural type and that this example is unusual because two log houses are attached, creating a substantially large dwelling. It also cites the vernacular builder's skill in fitting the houses to an irregular steep site and in the joinery of roofs, basement foundations and wall corners, calling it among the most interesting architectural remains in the district.
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 74001810, listed October 16, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | N of Fredericktown off PA 88, Fredericktown |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Listed | October 16, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001810 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1830-1885 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The document states the house remains in good condition. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.01188, -79.99612 (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 74001810.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7308143
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.