Questad, Carl and Sedsel, Farm
Also known as: Questad Place
Why it's listed
Set atop a hill overlooking the Meridian Creek valley, about 6 miles west of Clifton in Bosque County, this farm was established by Carl and Sedsel Questad, who were among the Norwegian pioneers arriving in 1854. The stone house consists of two sections joined at their corners, possibly dating to the 1850s, with a frame entrance addition built in 1949. Detached stone outbuildings include a springhouse and kitchen built into the hillside, a blacksmith shop with a small bell tower and dirt floor, and a large two-story barn. A stone fence encircles the farmstead and extends about a third of a mile to a nearby church. Questad reportedly paid for other immigrants' passage, and they helped build the fences. From 1870 to 1879 the farm also housed Gustav Belfrage, a Swedish naturalist whose insect collections went to European museums. It is described as the best-preserved Nordic building ensemble in the Norwegian community.
Significance in brief: Carl and Sedsel Questad were among the original Norwegian settlers of Bosque County in 1854, and some of the stone buildings may predate the Civil War. From 1870 to 1879 the farm was home to Swedish naturalist Gustav Belfrage, whose insect collections were sold to European museums. The nomination calls it the best-preserved 'Nordic' ensemble of buildings in the Norwegian community.
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 83003119, listed July 22, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | W of Clifton, Clifton |
|---|---|
| County | Bosque County |
| Listed | July 22, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003119 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Areas of significance | European, Exploration/Settlement, Science, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied; used as a private residence and for agriculture. The house has been substantially altered, including a frame addition in 1949, but the buildings and fences are well maintained. |
| Acreage | 4.5 |
| Coordinates | 31.77762, -97.68082 (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 83003119.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110000390
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.