Mathews-Powell House
Why it's listed
Built in 1878 on Miller Street in Queen City, Texas, this one-story frame house blends Greek Revival and Victorian features. A rectangular shape and central hall plan reflect the older style, while a five-bay front, slender gallery columns with punched spandrels, paired carved brackets, bargeboard gables and a bay window show Victorian flair. It was among the first houses in the new town, founded in 1877. William F. Mathews, a Confederate veteran and grocer who later ran a general mercantile store, built it and lived there until 1895. Later it housed a local physician, whose long central hall served as a hospital during local emergencies. In 1918 Ross Albert Powell, a merchant, undertaker and postmaster, bought it. Changes have been limited mostly to the rear, where a 1946 storm destroyed early additions. The house remains a private residence and preserves much of its original ornament.
Significance in brief: It is an excellent example of the transitional style between Greek Revival and Victorian, with its gingerbread and ornate detailing largely preserved. It was one of the first houses built in newly settled Queen City. It is also tied to two prominent local businessmen, William Franklin Mathews and Ross Albert Powell.
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 77001431, listed September 22, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Miller St., Queen City |
|---|---|
| County | Cass County |
| Listed | September 22, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77001431 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1878 |
| Architectural style | Transitional Greek Revival/Victorian |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Maintained as a private residence; condition listed as good, with rear additions. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 33.14977, -94.14727 (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 77001431.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6787057
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.