Reeder-Omenson Farm
Why it's listed
This two-story stone farmhouse on FM 182 southwest of Clifton was built for Alvin Reeder, who was not of Norwegian descent, yet the work was done by two Norwegian builders, Charlie Olson and Martin Shefstad. Reeder was also tied to Norway Mill, built about the same time across a stream, which served as an early milling center for the Norwegian settlement. The house shows Greek Revival influence, including returned cornices in the gables, flat stone arches over openings, and stone chimneys at both gable ends. A five-bay, two-tier gallery with a jig-sawn balustrade dominates the front. Originally rectangular, the house became L-shaped when a frame wing joined it to a detached stone kitchen. The porch was rebuilt about 1967 with a new concrete floor, but the balustrade and square piers remain original. The Omenson family bought the property just after 1900. A millstone from Norway Mill sits in the yard.
Significance in brief: The house was built by Norwegian craftsmen in the Norwegian settlement area for an owner who was not Norwegian, and its style follows Anglo-American Greek Revival fashion rather than Norwegian tradition. Its owner was also associated with nearby Norway Mill, an early milling center for the settlement. It retains much of its integrity despite some alterations.
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 83003120, 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 182, Clifton |
|---|---|
| County | Bosque County |
| Listed | July 22, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003120 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Charlie Olson and Martin Shefstad (builders) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival detailing |
| Areas of significance | European, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; described as in excellent condition with some alterations, including a rear frame wing and a porch rebuilt about 1967. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 31.69204, -97.65861 (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 83003120.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001659
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.