Bekken, J. H., House
Why it's listed
Near the base of Bee Rock Flats, about two and a half miles northwest of Clifton, stands a one-and-a-half-story frame house covered in shiplapped novelty siding. J.H. Bekken, believed to be one of many Norwegian immigrants who settled in Bosque County in the early 1870s, first built a one-room log cabin on the site in 1873. He completed the present house in 1895 and folded the cabin into the rear L. The east-facing front is symmetrical, with a steeply pitched gable above the central bay and a small porch with slender chamfered posts and jig-cut brackets. A cross-gabled roof with composition shingles and a large plastered chimney completes the form. The house is the only surviving building of the original farm. It has remained virtually unaltered since construction and is regarded as one of the best local examples of the symmetrical frame house popular in the late nineteenth century. It remains a private residence in fair condition.
Significance in brief: The house is believed to be tied to the Norwegian immigrants who came to Bosque County in the early 1870s. It has remained virtually unaltered since 1895. The nomination calls it one of the best illustrations of the symmetrical frame house popular in this part of the county in the late 19th century.
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 83003095, listed July 22, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NW of Clifton, Clifton |
|---|---|
| County | Bosque County |
| Listed | July 22, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003095 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | J.H. Bekken (builder) |
| Areas of significance | European, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; described as retaining much of its integrity and in fair condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 31.79666, -97.61369 (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 83003095.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q140166087
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.