Randlett House
Also known as: Randlett/Ratcliff House
Why it's listed
Built in 1896 at 401 South Centre Street in Lancaster, Texas, this two-story balloon-frame house was constructed by local builder S. D. Andrews for hardware merchant Sam Randlett. It is a vernacular Queen Anne design with an asymmetrical plan, projecting wings, a complicated roofline, and a three-story tower with an octagonal spire. A one-story gallery with turned wooden posts wraps the front and south sides. Inside, its twelve rooms keep much original detail, including tall transoms, seven-foot doors with stamped brass hardware, and a carved wood staircase. Plumbing and electricity came with a 1912 remodeling that added a bedroom and sleeping porch. Randlett had settled in Lancaster in 1887, and the house stood on land his wife Addie inherited from her father. It is one of four Victorian houses still standing in the town. Although decorative woodwork and roof detailing were lost over years of neglect, the house keeps its Victorian character and is being restored.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a good example of vernacular Queen Anne architecture and one of only four good Victorian houses remaining in Lancaster. When completed it was among the town's finest homes, reflecting the social standing of its merchant owner. It retains much of its original interior detailing despite the loss of some exterior ornament.
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 78002920, listed August 11, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 401 S. Centre St., Lancaster |
|---|---|
| County | Dallas County |
| Listed | August 11, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002920 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1896 |
| Architect / builder | S. D. Andrews |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Queen Anne (Victorian) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as neglected for years and altered; the present owners are restoring it to its original appearance. Listed as occupied private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.59064, -96.75596 (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 78002920.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16899135
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.