Rose, Maj. A. J., House
Why it's listed
Set on an eighteen-acre hillside half a mile east of Salado, this two-story Greek Revival farmhouse was built in 1870 by Major Archibald Johnson Rose, who moved to Bell County that year. The wood-frame house has a central hall plan, limestone end chimneys, lapped siding and an L-shaped form, with a later one-story stone kitchen at the east end. Its most striking feature is the two-story front portico, with paneled square posts, balustrades and a deep pediment. A tool house, smokehouse and privy survive, and many original furnishings remain, including Rose's office and woodworking tools. Rose was born in North Carolina, crossed to California in the Gold Rush, settled in Texas in 1857 and served as a Confederate officer. He later helped found the State Grange, served as a Grand Master of the Masons and was president of the board of the state agricultural college. Four generations of his descendants lived here until 1973.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a well-preserved example of vernacular Greek Revival farmhouse design, notable for its two-story front portico with full-height columns. It is also tied to Major Archibald Johnson Rose, a Texas pioneer and Confederate officer who held prominent state agricultural and fraternal posts. The house stayed in the Rose family for four generations, with many original furnishings preserved.
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 78002887, listed May 22, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Wm. Rose Way and Royal St., Salado |
|---|---|
| County | Bell County |
| Listed | May 22, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002887 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1870 |
| Architect / builder | A. J. Rose |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (vernacular) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and largely unaltered; in continuous use by the Rose family until 1973, with the new owner planning renovation. |
| Acreage | 18.2 |
| Coordinates | 30.94044, -97.52937 (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 78002887.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q109999773
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.