c.1844 Fixer Upper Cobblestone Greek Revival House in New York With 16 Acres and Horse Barn
$199,900
This five-bay Greek Revival house in New York is a cobblestone home home with six bedrooms, three baths. For sale by owner. It was built by James and Silas Howard in 1844. Why is it so cheap for a historic home on 16 acres? Read the reason why in the Seller Comments section.
Seller Comments
Please read the entire advertisement. Majestic Circa 1840 Cobblestone Mansion damaged by fire. Situated on 16 +/- acres. Land is all high and dry and currently used for horse pasture. Great garden spot that was previously used to grow an abundance of fresh vegetables.
Home had 6 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, large attics for storage, or convert into additional living space. Extra large basement has high ceiling.
Hugh 3 story barn with six 12 x 12 horse stalls and one 12×22 foaling stall. (Easily converted to twin stalls.) There is a groomed 2 1/2 mile public horseback riding trail / hiking trail which runs alongside the Chenango Canal directly across the road. Trail is shared, not owned. Huge outdoor kennel with 8 foot high heavy duty chain link. Extra large building inside of this pen for a run in / out building for dogs. There is also a large “antique hops barn” in need of repair.
Fire has damaged home and will need repairs. Photos were taken before fire damage. Excellent opportunity to own and restore this historic cobblestone mansion. Was formerly operated as a B&B. Great tasting water for the well. Fire has damaged the rear of the home, kitchen, mud room, one upstairs bedroom and two bath rooms. Rest of house will need interior painting and clean up from smoke damage. Call (518) 524-1059 for more information.
- 6bd
- 3ba
- 3,265sqft
- 16 acres
- Circa 1844
3822 Canal Rd, Bouckville, NY 13310 $199,900
If interested in a property, please contact the realtor whose link is provided in the post below, or contact an agent of your own choosing. Independent verification of details and status is recommended.
Contact Property Owner: (518) 524-1059
Pros
1. Very Affordable Housing & Living Costs
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Median home value is around $130K–$163K, about 50–60% below New York’s average, with rent roughly $770–$1,090/month—making it a budget-friendly option
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Overall living costs are approximately 15% below the U.S. average and 30% below state average .
2. Tight-Knit, Rural Community with Outdoor Access
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Described as “idyllic” with “friendly and welcoming” locals, and a strong sense of community pride
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The area offers excellent shoreline leisure, hiking, fishing, boating, and camping opportunities .
3. Favorable Safety Compared to Big Cities
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Violent crime levels are low (CrimeGrade B), with moderate property crime (A–)
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BestPlaces rankings place Bouckville among the top 20–30% of safe U.S. metro-adjacent areas
4. Balanced Demographics & Modest Diversity
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Primarily White (~92%), but moderate presence of Hispanic (2.7%), Black (2%), and Asian (1.9%) residents—diversity score ~55/100
5. Scenic + Historic Charm
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Located centrally in Upstate NY, part of the Syracuse metro, set in rolling hills and near beautiful natural landscapes
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Features historical architecture like the Greek Revival Coolidge Stores Building from 1851
❌ Cons
1. Harsh Winters & Gloomy Weather
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Significant snowfall and cold dominate winters; “gloomy weather” mentioned as a drawback
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Rural roads may receive delayed snow removal and long driveway clearing
2. High Local Taxes & Additional Costs
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Property taxes average about 2.5%, with an 8% sales tax
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Residents report extra fees—school taxes, county taxes, vehicle inspections, trash collection (~$30–50/month)
3. Limited Local Amenities & Walkability
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Few shops, restaurants, or services within village limits; driving essential
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Access to higher-level services (hospitals, major retailers) requires travel to Syracuse (~1 hour)
4. Smaller Workforce & Modest Job Market
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Primary industries include healthcare and education, but local job diversity is limited
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Unemployment in Madison County is around 3.6%
5. Rural Infrastructure Challenges
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Spotty internet/cell service in rural spots
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Home heating often relies on oil or propane, which can be costly—cold winters increase fuel needs
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Family History
The story of this cobblestone house is found in the writings of the late Helen Howard Peckham.
Synopsis specific to the cobblestone structure:
“It was built by my great-great-grandfather, James Howard and his brother, Silas. It took two years to build it in 1840-42. They used field stones that were very abundant on the farm. The stones were left after a glacier passed through this section. There were enough field stones collected in piles to build another house. If more were needed all one had to do was plow the garden. It was surprising how many stones turn up.
They were assisted in building the house by a stone mason, Joe Stevens, who might have been one of the men in building the Chenango Canal in 1834-37. Many men who worked on the canal settled in this vicinity after it was completed.
The cobblestones used in building the house were similar in size, but varied in shape and color. They were set in in horizontal rows with straight horizontal mortar joints. My grandmother, while working in her flower garden, once heard two slightly inebriated gentlemen while walking down the road exclaim one to the other if they had that house they would paint each stone a different color.
James had a canal boat named ‘The Madison’ and undoubtedly brought the corner (quoins) stones and the large long one (lintel) above the front door came from the quarry about a mile away at Oriskany Falls.”
The house was later owned by the Edgarton family, and Smith Edgarton is said to have help build it. An article in the Cazenovia Republican of July 8, 1926, noted in part:
Eighty-five years ago washed sand and gravel were produced at Solsville from the deposit which is now being worked by the Madison Sand & Gravel Corporation. In those days, when houses were built on honor, it was an unwritten law that cobblestone houses should be built with washed material.
The cobblestone house now owned by Smith Edgarton, near the new plant, was built with this material. The sand and gravel was shoveled from the bank into a two-wheel cart of about a half-yard capacity and drawn by an ox team to the bank of the canal, where it was dumped into a water-tight box.
A few pails of water were thrown upon the material and it was thoroughly shoveled. The water with the silt in solution was then drained off and the clean material shoveled back into the ox car and drawn to the job. Three men and the ox team were able to produce five yards per day.
The driver of the yoke of oxen has long since passed on, but the house that he helped to build is as sound as ever and presents a forceful argument for the used of washed sand and gravel in building construction.”
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