Sayers, Gov. Joseph, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1868, this one-story residence at 1703 Wilson Street in Bastrop is a simple, well-preserved example of Greek Revival design. A pedimented portico on four square columns marks the front, and the cornice has returns at the sides, with pilasters at the corners. The central paneled walnut doors are flanked by sidelights and topped by a transom. The frame structure has pine and walnut interior finishes and a composition roof. Additions have been made at the rear. The house is associated with Joseph Sayers, who served as governor of Texas from 1899 to 1903 and was earlier elected to the U.S. Congress. Described as one of Bastrop's most prominent citizens, Sayers lived here until 1899. The property is still used as a residence and is recorded in good to excellent condition. Its listing rests on both its architecture and its link to a state governor.
Significance in brief: The form calls it an outstanding Greek Revival home that once belonged to Joseph Sayers, governor of Texas from 1899 to 1903, who was also elected to the U.S. Congress before serving as governor. It describes Sayers as one of Bastrop's most prominent citizens, who lived in the house until 1899.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78003297, listed December 22, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1703 Wilson, Bastrop |
|---|---|
| County | Bastrop County |
| Listed | December 22, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78003297 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is the same as the original use, a residence. Physical condition is listed as good to excellent, with additions at the rear. |
| Coordinates | 30.11787, -97.32261 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78003297.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001446
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.