Rogers-Drummond House
Also known as: Rogers-Drummond-Perkins House
Why it's listed
Built in 1853-54 by brothers-in-spirit nephews Aaron and Lark Griffin for their uncle James Rogers, this two-story farmhouse stands southeast of Mount Vernon in Franklin County, Texas. Its plan follows the regional dog trot, with a central open hall between two large front rooms, and a tall four-column portico gives the front a formal Greek Revival look. The roof is unusually high compared with the ordinary-height windows and doors, because the front rooms have 16-foot ceilings. Construction relied on hand-hewn heart pine, hand-made brick piers, and cedar siding. Inside, the east and west front rooms keep painted wood graining and stenciling from 1884-85, noted as a rare survival. The house is considered the oldest remaining in the county and stayed with the same family for six generations. Later changes include a rear addition, metal roofing and the loss of one chimney. The house is now vacant and in poor repair, with a barn and shed remaining nearby.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an outstanding vernacular interpretation of Greek Revival architecture, with an unusually tall front portico in relation to its windows and doors. It also preserves interior wood-graining and stenciled painting from 1884-85, described as very rare. It is recognized as the oldest remaining house in Franklin County.
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 80004120, listed September 8, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SE of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | September 8, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80004120 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific dates 1853-1854) |
| Architect / builder | Aaron and Lark Griffin |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (vernacular interpretation) with regional dog trot plan |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as vacant, unoccupied, deteriorated and in need of maintenance; the owner hopes to restore it. A barn and a shed remain on the site. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Coordinates | 33.11848, -95.15334 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 80004120.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001219
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.