Belton Academy
Also known as: #2; Wedemeyer,Charles,House
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Why it's listed
Built in 1891 at 404 East Ninth in Belton, this 2 1/2-story wood frame house served as both a family home and a private preparatory school. Local builder T. Hamp Birdwell constructed it for Charles Wedemeyer, a Baylor University graduate who operated Belton Academy from about 1891 until 1911. At first the whole school met in the house; later Wedemeyer moved it to a building across the street, since demolished. The house has an asymmetrical plan, a hip-and-gable roof with pedimented gables, projecting bay windows, a butt shingle frieze and a decorative colored-glass window in the south dormer. An east wing has been lost, but the building remains in good condition and is still a dwelling. It was listed for its link to early education in Belton and as a good example of a vernacular Victorian house with Queen Anne details, a type that has largely disappeared from the city.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant under Criterion A in Education for its association with one of Belton's early schools, Belton Academy, which operated from about 1891 to 1911. It also meets Criterion C in Architecture as a fine example of a vernacular Victorian house with Queen Anne details, a type once common in Belton but now mostly demolished or heavily altered.
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 90001937, listed December 26, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 404 E. Ninth St., Belton |
|---|---|
| County | Bell County |
| Listed | December 26, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90001937 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1891-1911 |
| Architect / builder | T. Hamp Birdwell, builder |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition with only minor recent alterations; the original east wing has been demolished. Current function is a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 31.06352, -97.45748 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 90001937.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110000879
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.