Eaton House
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Why it's listed
Built in 1909-10 at 510 Harvard Street in Houston Heights, this one-story frame raised cottage shows Colonial Revival influence. It has a hipped roof with a shingled central gable holding a stained-glass window, and an attached porch carried on Doric columns with square balusters. The front door has art glass, with a sidelight and transom. Windows have one-over-one lights, lattice encloses the space under the house, and an interior brick chimney and a side bay window complete the design. The wood clapboard walls and composition roof are original in form, and a recent renovation was described as moderate and sympathetic. The house sits on less than an acre, in a well-kept yard in the middle of a residential block. Its first owner, Dr. W. H. Eaton, was a local dentist best known in the Heights for operating the Heights Natatorium, a popular gathering place. The house was recognized for its architecture and its connection to local commerce, at the local level of significance. It remains a residence.
Significance in brief: The house is significant for its architecture, as a Colonial Revival-influenced raised cottage, and for its link to commerce through its original owner. Dr. W. H. Eaton was a local dentist best known in the Heights for operating the Heights Natatorium, a popular gathering place. Significance is rated local.
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 83004433, listed June 22, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 510 Harvard St., Houston |
|---|---|
| County | Harris County |
| Listed | June 22, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004433 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900-- |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival influence |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Recorded in good condition, still used as a residence, with a recent moderate and sympathetic renovation. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.78000, -95.39594 (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 83004433.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002164
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.