Abraham Elder Stone House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Abraham Elder Stone House
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1808 section is on the left
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pennsylvania Route 550 at Stormstown, Halfmoon Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1808, 1832 |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001148 |
| Added to NRHP | April 13, 1977 |
The Abraham Elder Stone House is a very old and important house in Halfmoon Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. It's known for its history and how it was built.
The house was built in two main parts. The first part was finished in 1808. A second part was added later, in 1832. This stone house has a special look because it's made of strong limestone.
Contents
What Makes the House Special?
The Abraham Elder Stone House is a two-and-a-half-story building. This means it has two full floors and a smaller half-floor, often in the attic. It has five sections, or "bays," across its front.
Unique Features
- Limestone Walls: The house is built from strong limestone. This makes it very sturdy and long-lasting.
- Special Entrance: The main door is in the middle. It has a beautiful, curved stone arch above it. There's also a "fanlight" (a window shaped like a fan) and "sidelights" (narrow windows next to the door). These details make the entrance look grand.
A Busy Past
For many years, the house was not just a home. It was also a "tavern stand." This was like a hotel and restaurant for travelers. It was located right on the Bellefonte-Pittsburgh Turnpike. A turnpike was a main road where people paid a fee (a "toll") to travel. So, many people stopped here on their journeys.
A Place in History
The Abraham Elder Stone House is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. This is a special list of places in the United States that are worth protecting because of their history.
Who Was Abraham Elder?
Abraham Elder was one of the very first settlers in the Halfmoon area. He moved there in 1784 from Franklin County. When he first arrived, he found an empty cabin and stayed there for the summer.
Later, in the spring of 1785, Abraham Elder returned with his wife, Susanna, and their two children. His brother, David, also came with them. Abraham first built a log cabin for his family. This log cabin was later replaced by the strong stone house we see today.
Images for kids
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Looking north, showing the 1832 section
