Palapa Table for James Richard Marmion
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Why it's listed
Near Sweeny in Brazoria County, Texas, a concrete table and two benches stand on the former weekend retreat of James Richard Marmion, on the western bank of the San Bernard River. Sculptor Dionicio Rodriguez made the set around 1926, finishing the concrete with tinting and texture so it resembles wood. A round palapa roof, eight feet across, is carried by a nine-foot faux tree trunk with knot holes, peeling bark and a large faux steel bolt, and three branches act as roof brackets. A forty-inch tabletop imitates diagonally mortised boards. One bench is a curved faux log; the other has a bark-textured backrest curving to the ground. Marmion commissioned the work, and a palapa-roofed gazebo stands elsewhere on the property. The set was listed for its high artistic value as a work by Rodriguez, whom the nomination calls a noted sculptor. Only the table, benches and the ground beneath them are included, and the estate has not been evaluated.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the table and benches are an exceptional example of the work of noted sculptor Dionicio Rodriguez, under Criterion C in the area of Art. It describes them as one of Rodriguez's best pieces, showing close attention to detail and an outstanding level of craftsmanship.
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 04001172, 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 | 04001172 |
| Resource type | Object |
| Period of significance | c.1926 |
| Architect / builder | Dionicio Rodriguez |
| Architectural style | OTHER: Faux bois sculpture |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed current function is Recreation and Culture / Work of Art; the nearby residence it was built beside no longer exists. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.04411, -95.64771 (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 04001172.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110000366
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.