Austin, F. K. and Mary, House
Also known as: #29
Why it's listed
Built around 1885 at 702 North Penelope in Belton, Texas, this 2-story, L-plan frame house was constructed for local merchant F. K. Austin, who moved to Belton with his family around 1854 and opened a grocery on the courthouse square. Members of the Austin family lived in the house until 1950. Clad in weatherboard with a wood-shingled roof and shallow hipped roofs, it is dominated by a 2-story classically inspired porch with Tuscan columns, a bowed end and a Renaissance Revival-style balustrade. Projecting hexagonal bays, paneled trim, and hood molds over the tall windows add Italianate detail. The house was recognized for its architecture as an intact example of High Victorian Italianate design, a later and more decorative phase of a style popular in Texas from about 1860 to 1890. It also reflects the prosperity of Belton's early cotton boom years. It remains in very good condition and is still a single-family dwelling.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an excellent example of High Victorian Italianate architecture and one of the preeminent Italianate designs in the region. It also relates to the wealth Belton gained during the early cotton boom years. Its prominent 2-story porch and elaborate projecting bay illustrate the decorative exuberance of the style's later phase.
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 90001891, listed December 26, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 702 N. Penelope St., Belton |
|---|---|
| County | Bell County |
| Listed | December 26, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90001891 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | C. 1885 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in very good condition with only minor alterations to the interior and exterior; still used as a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 31.06246, -97.45959 (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 90001891.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110000873
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.