Historic Landmarks

The three types of Historic Designation are:

Local Historic Landmark or District

In addition to being based on the National criteria and upholding the National guidelines, the local designation adds a process to protect against unwarranted demolition.   

New York State Register of Historic Places

To place a building or district meeting the National criteria on the New York State Register, an application is filed through the New York State Office of Historic Preservation. Owners of property with this designation may be eligible for tax credits. 

National Register of Historic Places

After a building or district is placed on the NYS Registry, application can be made to the National Register. Owners of historic income-producing real property may qualify for an income tax credit for rehabilitating the property. 

The following shows Vestal's historically designated properties.  

Drovers Inn – 1844

Built as a tavern and inn by Ransom Baty for John & Jacob Rounds, it was converted to a private home in 1855 for Jacob L. and Amanda Crandall Rounds. 

Historic Designations:

2002 Local Historic Landmark

2010 New York State Register

2010 National Register

A two-story white building with a green roof and multiple balconies, surrounded by a paved area and sparse landscaping under a cloudy sky.

Rounds House – 1895

Designed by T.I. Lacey & Sons as the family residence of Fayette L. and Susie Knapp Rounds, a tower, designed by E.W. Dickerman was added in 1912 increasing its size to 15 rooms. The Rounds family occupied the house for 106 years.

Historic Designations:

2002 Local Historic Landmark

2010 New York Register

2010 National Register

A large, historic two-story house with a distinctive turret, surrounded by autumn foliage and a pathway leading to the entrance.

Rivercrest District – 32 Properties

Built in the 1930s, the homes face the Vestal Parkway with the remnants of the Chenango Canal Extension towpath and prism at the back of the properties. 

Historic Designations:

2012 Local Historic Landmark

2009 New York State Register

2009 National Register Eligible

(Photo courtsey of Roger Luther.)

A charming white house with a gabled roof, surrounded by greenery and a black iron fence, featuring a decorative horse head knocker on the gate.

Vestal Central High School – 1939

Designed by T.I. Lacey & Sons and funded by the PWA, Vestal’s first high school remains largely unchanged. 

Historic Designations:

2012 Local Historic Landmark

2010 New York State Register

2010 National Register

A side view of a large brick building with multiple windows, surrounded by grass and trees, and a parked van in front.

Rounds Coal Company – 1908

This unique building, designed by C.A. Olmstead, had an arch through which trucks passed to be weighed empty and reweighed after loading with coal at the large tipple near the train station. The building was moved to a position straddling the Rail Trail in 2006. 

Historic Designations:

2005 Local Historic Landmark

A two-story house with a distinctive green roof and three dormer windows, situated at the edge of a road with trees and parked cars nearby.

Lustron Houses – c. 1949

Approximately 2680 of these porcelain-enameled steel homes were constructed across the U.S. in the three years the Lustron Company was in business. 

Vestal has three examples. 

Historic Designations:

2012 Local Historic Landmark

2012 State and National Eligible

A single-story house with a light-colored exterior, a two-car garage, and landscaped front yard, surrounded by trees.

Vestal Center United Methodist Church – 1875

A small prayer room that was added in 1896 was replaced by the current  fellowship hall and classrooms. The nave remains largely unchanged. 

Historic Designations:

2012 Local Historic Landmark

2012 State and National Eligible

A white church building with a tall steeple and red doors, set against a cloudy sky.

LaTourette Farm – Built between 1802 and 1816

The LaTourette Farm was locally known as "Cold Spring Farm" because of the wooden pipes that delivered cold spring to the house.  It was owned form many years by George DuBois.   It has received an award from Preservation Association of the Southern Tier for its restoration.   

Historic Designations:

2012 Local Historic Landmark

2012 State and National Eligible

A historic two-story building with a symmetrical facade, featuring large columns at the entrance and multiple windows, surrounded by trees and shrubs.

Mersereau House – c. 1832

Once the house of John Mersereau, this Federal style home in Twin Orchards was advertised in 1926 as “…an exceptional opportunity to establish a paying tearoom or antique shop”. 

Historic Designations:

2012 Local Historic Landmark

2012 State and National Eligible

A two-story white house partially obscured by overgrown bushes and trees, set against a backdrop of greenery.

Vestal Hills Memorial Park – 1931

Vestal’s largest cemetery, Vestal Hills is entered through gates designed by master architect, G.W. McClune of Buffalo.

Historic Designations:

2012 Local Historic Landmark

2012 State and National Eligible

A stone entrance gate with two towers and a central archway, surrounded by green grass and trees, leading to a park area.

Rounds Cemetery – 1831

Early pioneers Alford/Alfred and Rachel rest for eternity surrounded by family and friends, as well as William Jones an early proprietor of Drovers Inn.

Historic Designations:

2012 Local Historic Landmark

2012 State and National Eligible

A view of a grassy area enclosed by a stone wall, with bare trees in the background and a building visible in the distance.

Vestal Depot / Museum – 1881

Vestal’s D.L.& W. Train Depot was moved in 1972 to a position on the Library campus where it was restored by the town and Vestal Historical Society as the town’s Museum, opening in 1976. 

Historic Designations:

2012 Local Historic Landmark

A historic green train station with red accents, featuring a sloped roof and a staircase leading to the entrance, surrounded by a paved area and greenery.