Ross, Frank L., Farm
Also known as: Ross--Phillips Farm
Why it's listed
Set on rolling land west and east of State Route 519 in North Bethlehem Township, the Frank L. Ross Farm is a complete early twentieth-century mixed farmstead. Frank L. Ross acquired the tract from his father in 1910-11 and built most of the complex as new, including a two-story red brick farmhouse with a center hall and a bungalow built as a honeymoon cottage. The farm combines barns, a sheep barn, a worker's house, corn cribs and a silo that stood from about 1924 to 1962, and it is regarded as an unusually comprehensive example of the county's move from sheep raising to general farming. By 1924 Ross kept the largest flock in North Bethlehem Township, with 450 sheep, and he also ran dairy cattle, poultry, hogs, an orchard and alfalfa fields. Architect C.M. Hall designed the farmhouse, and F.M. Hixon was the builder. The farm's buildings and fields remain largely intact, and the property is significant for agriculture and architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the farm is one of the most complete early twentieth century farming complexes in Washington County, with a highly complex set of buildings representing many farming types of the period. It is also significant for its carefully designed farmstead and a farmhouse designed by an architect, and for buildings such as a bungalow built as a honeymoon cottage. The farm is presented as a clear example of the county's shift from sheep and livestock raising to general farming.
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 02000226, listed March 20, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | PA 519, 0.3 mi. N of US 40, North Bethlehem |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Listed | March 20, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02000226 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | ca. 1910-1950 |
| Architect / builder | Hall, C.M. (architect); Hixon, F.M. (builder) |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival; Bungalow; American Four Square |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Crops other than hay have not been grown since 1992; the Black Angus herd ended about 1960; the farm is still used for sheep raising, and the orchard is no longer extant. |
| Acreage | 174 |
| Coordinates | 40.13155, -80.13206 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 02000226.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15218372
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.