Lacawac
Why it's listed
Lacawac, at Ledgedale in Wayne County, is a group of cedar-shingled buildings built in 1903 as the summer estate of William Connell, a Scranton coal operator and congressman. The complex originally had eight structures in a rustic style popular in the Adirondacks and Berkshires. The two-and-a-half-story main house has a cross-gable roof and large two-story porches, and its interior is panelled in southern yellow pine, with original gas fittings and much of the original furniture still in place. Connell re-established a deer herd here after local deer had been eliminated, enclosing four miles of land with a chestnut-post and wire fence and feeding the animals at a deer house. The property was later acquired by Louis A. Watres and was eventually deeded in 1966 to a non-profit for scientific and educational use. The lake was named a National Natural Landmark in 1968, and the site is regarded as an uncommon Pennsylvania example of this building type.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the complex is a well-preserved example of rustic summer-home architecture, a type uncommon in Pennsylvania. It also cites Connell's reintroduction of a deer herd after local deer had been eliminated, the property's later use for scientific and educational purposes, and its designation as a National Natural Landmark in 1968.
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 79002367, listed August 9, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E of Ledgedale, Ledgedale |
|---|---|
| County | Wayne County |
| Listed | August 9, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002367 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Kriegers, Stermers & Martin |
| Architectural style | Rustic, with Shingle Style characteristics |
| Areas of significance | Conservation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The main house retains much of its original interior and furnishings; the boat house and deer house were demolished, and the Ice House was converted into a residence in 1950. |
| Acreage | 461.6 |
| Coordinates | 41.37882, -75.29276 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 79002367.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6468144
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.