Building date: Ca. 1835-1840
Original use:
Corner structures:
Mortar application and content: Vertical heavy
Types and uses of stones:
Types and choice of windows:
Structures with similar masonry details:
Masons who worked on building:
Unique features: West wall covered with cement blocks.
Map views courtesy Google Maps. Address is Google Earth confirmed; 42°54'11.26"N 77°17'30.65"W. Current owner of record, 495 North Main Assoc LLC as of the 2019 Tax Roll.
Town of Canandaigua and Ontario County Maps
According to Carl Schmidt, the house at 495 Main St., Canandaigua has side walls of smooth plaster scored to imitate stone work. These side walls probably were cobblestone and are now covered by thin rectangular cement blocks. The "scoring" is actually the lines of union of the blocks. This view is supported by the fact that the cement blocks on the side walls are flush with the sides of the quoins, while in the front the cobblestones are sunk about an inch from the quoin surface. The cement blocks are also flush with the window lintels. Also, at some of the windows one can see the original cobblestones behind the cement blocks. The vertical mortar between stones slopes from the top horizontal to the bottom with little or no depression at the top, and only a few signs of being cut off at the bottom. Roudabush Survey page 84
There has never been more than one cobblestone house in the city of Canandaigua, other than this one at 495 North Main Street. It is believed it was built by William Kibbe, an early Canandaigua banker, who acquired the property in 1839. Although the sides and rear were long ago stuccoed over, it is clear that it is of entirely cobblestone construction. It is known as Cobblestone Manor. Early 20th Century additions include a Colonial Revival style front porch with fluted Doric columns and decorated cornice. It was listed on the National Register in 1984. It is a medical office. Richard Palmer blog.
The Cobblestone Manor (495 North Main Street) is one of the few examples of Greek Revival style architecture in the city and the only example of cobblestone construction in the multiple resource area. The dwelling, particularly notable in the multiple resource area for its unique cobblestone construction, is characterized by a pedimented gable end, a broad frieze, heavy window surrounds and a trabeated entrance. Particularly noteworthy are the stone quoins which articulate the corners of its facade. Surrounded by modern housing, it is an important survivor in its neighborhood, occupying a lot of approximately one and one-half-acres in the northern outskirts of the city.
The Cobblestone Manor, built in the 1830s, is a two-story cobblestone dwelling designed in the Greek Revival style. Typical of the style, it has a pedimented gable end oriented towards the street. Detailing and structural elements are heavy and pronounced, including a wide frieze, prominent window Surrounds and a trabeated entrance surrounded by sidelights, pilasters and a transom light. Stone quoins articulate the front corners of the building. Only the front facade (west) is of cobblestone. The side and rear elevations are of rubble stone and are covered with scored stucco.
Early twentieth century additions include a Colonial Revival style front porch with fluted Doric columns and a cornice embellished with modillions. A modified Palladian window was installed in the front gable end. A fire escape was added on the south elevation. A large, one-story, noncontributing cinderblock wing with a gable roof extends from the rear of the dwelling. Several small, one-story non-contributing additions are attached to the side elevations of the rear wing.
There is a modern, non-contributing garage on the property.
The Cobblestone Manor is architecturally significant as the only extant example of cobblestone construction in the city of Canandaigua. Constructed between 1835 and 1840, it is representative of a regional building trend popular during the middle third of the nineteenth century. It is also significant as a distinctive example of Greek Revival style architecture, a style not widely represented in the city. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, Courtesy National Archives Catalog, New York MPS Canandaigua MRA.
The Jennie L. Pettes Home at 494 North Main street in Canandaigua is one of the few picturesque cobblestone homes left in the area, in fact there are almost no others in Canandaigua. Mrs. Pettes and the late Robert E. Pettes purchased the property in March, 1944, from Roland V. Tiffany. Mrs. Pettes, who continues to reside in the residence, has maintained the full attractiveness of the the property. The cobblestone house dates to the 1840s and was probably built by William Kibbe, who acquired the land along with 51
acres of land, from Moses Chapin, Rochester property owner. This was in the early Fall of 1839. Mr. Kibbe sold the property in November, 1845, to William Jeudevine and it was the Jeudevine homestead for three generations. William Jeudevine paid $2,400 for the land and home. It remained in Jeudevine hands until the early years of this century. Since that time it has changed ownership frequently until its acquisition by Mr. and Mrs. Pettes a decade ago. Attribution not provided. Courtesy Cobblestone Museum.
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National Register of Historic Places Registration
- "Cobblestone Masonry", 1966, Carl Schmidt: Name reference, Pettis House
- Pages 91 - 92, Page 246, Front Window Page 268
¹ Image courtesy Cobblestone Museum.
² Photography courtesy Richard Palmer.
³ Image from National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
4 Photography courtesy Martin and Sheila Wolfish.
