Cornelison House
Also known as: #24
Why it's listed
Built around 1880, this two-story wood-frame house at 1102 North Pearl in Belton follows a plain L-plan, with a one-story porch tucked into the elbow of the L. It rests on a pier-and-beam foundation, is clad in weatherboard, and has a composition shingle roof. Porch columns are 4 x 4 posts with chamfered corners, the windows are two-over-two double-hung sash with simple moldings, and the paneled entry door has a Queen Anne-style light and transom. Reportedly built for Will Woodruff, the house sat on the outer edge of town, possibly because of its closeness to the Santa Fe railroad depot completed in 1881. The Cornelison family later lived there for many years. It was listed for architecture because few L-plan vernacular houses of the 1870s through the early twentieth century survive in original condition, and this one is a particularly well-preserved, modest example. Alterations include a modern brick chimney and a concrete porch slab.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a pristine, well-preserved example of the L-plan vernacular house common in Belton in the late 19th century. It is significant under Criterion C in the area of Architecture. It also relates to the settlement and growth of Belton after the Civil War.
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 90001886, listed December 26, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1102 N. Pearl St., Belton |
|---|---|
| County | Bell County |
| Listed | December 26, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90001886 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1880 |
| Architectural style | Other: L-plan vernacular |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition with some alterations, including a modern brick chimney on the north side and a concrete slab replacing the porch deck; still used as a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 31.06699, -97.46119 (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 90001886.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001551
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.