Whitaker House
Why it's listed
Built before 1890 by lumberman and legislator Benjamin F. Whitaker, this two-story frame house at 517 Whitaker Street in Texarkana is an elaborate example of late Victorian design. The irregular plan includes multiple gables, highly carved trim, bracketed cornices, wraparound porches and an imbricated-shingle belt course. Inside, ornate plaster molding, Eastlake-influenced carved walnut woodwork, a free-standing staircase, stained glass windows and Italian slate and marble mantles with gold leaf trim reflect the quality of the original construction. Whitaker moved to Texarkana in 1877, entered the lumber business with his brother, and helped fund the first two Red River bridges for the railway later part of the Kansas City Southern Line. He served in the Texas Legislature in the 1890s. A souvenir book from about 1904 called the house the showplace of Texarkana. Later changes include new siding and added bathrooms, yet the house remains a residence and keeps its original iron fence along Whitaker Street.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as an excellent example of late Victorian architecture in Texas, with carved gables, stained glass, Eastlake-influenced walnut woodwork and imported Italian mantles. It is also tied to Benjamin Whitaker, a Texarkana commercial figure and state legislator who helped finance the first bridges across the Red River for the railroad. It was known as a local showplace by 1904.
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 79002921, listed November 7, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 517 Whitaker St., Texarkana |
|---|---|
| County | Bowie County |
| Listed | November 7, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002921 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Benjamin Franklin Whitaker |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian (Eastlake influenced) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Remains in use as a private residence; altered by siding, added bathrooms and some missing stained glass, but described as retaining integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Coordinates | 33.42197, -94.05726 (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 79002921.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110000985
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.