Corker Hill
National Historic Register of Historic Places
Statement of Significance:
The Corker Hill building complex is significant under National Register Criterion C as an example of an early 20th century gentleman’s farm, superimposed on an established 19th century high-style, wealthy landowner’s farm complex in Franklin County, beginning with its original construction c.1810 and more particularly expressed by the dramatic changes made in the early 20th century. The main house is a remarkable and intact example of vernacular adaptation of recognized architectural styles from two distinct periods. It embodies distinctive characteristics from two periods of construction: first the period of Federal influenced style in the early years of the 19th century, a rare survival of rural brick construction dating from before 1820 in Franklin County, with most elements representing this period intact.
The second and more dramatic construction period is represented by the Colonial Revival additions of a century later, most prominently manifested in a large cupola with an ogee roof and a matching projecting bay. The Colonial Revival elements are attached to and distinct from the original construction, leaving the c.1810 house essentially intact as an architectural entity although subjugated by the flamboyant 20th century additions. The large, quarried sandstone Pennsylvania barn is a significant example of standard regional barn technology upgraded with the more expensive quarried stone material. Already relatively extravagant by its large size and use of quarried sandstone, the 19th century barn served the 20th century gentleman’s farm well with possibly only a few changes in hardware and some repointing. Associated outbuildings and the tenant house are contributing elements to the operation of the farm throughout its period of significance. The period of significance ends in 1916 with the death of then owner Thaddeus Mahon, when significant alterations to the property ceased.