Gazebo for James Richard Marmion
.jpg){kind=link}
Why it's listed
Concrete made to look like wood defines this gazebo on the Marmion estate, about two miles east of Sweeny, Texas, near the San Bernard River. It sits on the southernmost of three small man-made islands in a pond. Sculptor Dionicio Rodriguez created it around 1926 for James Richard Marmion's weekend retreat, along with a rustic table and two benches. Eight concrete tree trunks, each with a different bark texture, support an octagonal palapa roof of three straw-like layers topped by a small glass-paned lantern. The structure is 9 feet in diameter, with a log railing, planed-log flooring and faux log steps, and a base faced with cement boulders. It was listed for its artistic value as an outstanding example of Rodriguez's work. The nomination notes similar gazebos at a retreat in Comfort and a home in Beaumont, and links the design to Mexican kiosk bandstands.
Significance in brief: It is nominated under Criterion C in the area of Art as an outstanding example of the work of sculptor Dionicio Rodriguez. The form calls it one of his best pieces, with a very high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Its design is compared to the kiosk bandstands common in Mexican towns.
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 04001173, listed October 22, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1214 County Rd., Sweeny |
|---|---|
| County | Brazoria County |
| Listed | October 22, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04001173 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | c.1926 |
| Architect / builder | Dionicio Rodriguez |
| Architectural style | Faux bois sculpture |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic and current function are both recreation and culture, as a work of art and landscape gazebo. Remnants of old electric wiring remain in the ceiling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.04307, -95.64472 (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.
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 04001173.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001694
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.