Astin, R. Q., House
Why it's listed
Built around 1921 at 508 W. 26th Street in Bryan, this large house was constructed by R. Q. Astin for his family. It is a 2 1/2-story frame dwelling with brick exterior walls, a hip roof, hip dormers and a symmetrical plan. A double-door entrance with transom and sidelights sits within an inset portico with paired composite columns, stone entablature, console brackets, garlands and an escutcheon. French doors with fanlights flank the portico, creating an arcaded effect. A porte cochere with a stone balustrade stands on the north side, and sun porches with stone frames mark the end pavilions; the west one is open and the east one enclosed. A similarly detailed garage and playhouse stand behind the house. The design blends Renaissance and other revival styles, and its symmetry and classical detailing suggest Palladian influence. It was recognized as perhaps the grandest dwelling built in Bryan in its period, and architecture is the stated area of significance. The house remains in residential use and good condition.
Significance in brief: The inventory form describes this eclectic design as perhaps the grandest dwelling built in Bryan during its period. It combines Renaissance and other revival styles, with symmetrical massing and classical detailing suggesting Palladian influence. The significance area is listed as architecture.
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 87001607, listed September 25, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 508 W. Twenty-sixth, Bryan |
|---|---|
| County | Brazos County |
| Listed | September 25, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001607 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Eclectic design incorporating Renaissance and other revival styles, with Palladian influence |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition and in residential use, the same as its original use. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 30.67451, -96.37789 (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 87001607.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q28035294
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.