Finstad, Ole and Elizabeth, Homesite
Why it's listed
Beside FM 219 southwest of Clifton, in the Neils Creek valley, lie the ruins of a one-room stone house built by Ole and Elizabeth Finstad, Norwegian settlers in Bosque County, sometime in the mid to late 19th century. Limestone blocks laid with mud mortar and rubble-stone pointing form the walls, though several have collapsed and little of the original layout can be read. A small attic-level window in the east wall survives, along with an exterior stone chimney whose hearth still has a fine segmental arch. No outbuildings have been found, but pot shards near the house probably date to the early years of occupation. The house has been abandoned for roughly 75 years. It was listed mainly for its archeological value, since artifacts on the surface suggest that the site holds high potential for future study of early Norwegian settlement in the area. The land is now used for agriculture.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the site is significant for its archeological potential. Historic artifacts, including pot shards probably from the early period of occupation, are visible on the surface. The house has been abandoned for about 75 years, and its archeological potential appears to be high.
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 83003103, listed July 22, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | SW of Clifton on FM 219, Clifton |
|---|---|
| County | Bosque County |
| Listed | July 22, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003103 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architect / builder | Ole and Elizabeth Finstad |
| Areas of significance | European, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Ruins, with several walls collapsed; used for agriculture and listed as unoccupied. Abandoned for about 75 years. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 31.73171, -97.72685 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 83003103.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001640
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.