House at 1640 Harvard Street
Why it's listed
This one-story frame cottage at 1640 Harvard Street in Houston was built in 1902-03 and shows Queen Anne influence. It has an L-shaped plan and a combination roof with a double gable, one gable growing out of the other, over a three-sided projecting bay. The gables are shingled and the upper one holds a tiny diamond-shaped window. Windows have one-over-one lights, the single front door has a transom and etched glass, and a brick chimney rises inside. An attached porch wraps to the side on simple turned posts, with square balusters between them, though the porch may have been altered. The cottage is of a type common during the early development of the Houston Heights, but its double front gable is an unusual detail. Herman Haas, proprietor of the Tivoli Saloon in downtown Houston, was one early owner. Recorded in 1980, it was still a residence on a well-kept lot with a large tree, fitting comfortably into its neighborhood.
Significance in brief: It is a small cottage of a type common in the early development of the Heights, distinguished by unusual detailing, notably a double front gable. An early owner was Herman Haas, proprietor of the Tivoli Saloon in downtown Houston. Its area of significance is architecture at the local level.
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 83004450, listed June 22, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1640 Harvard St., Houston |
|---|---|
| County | Harris County |
| Listed | June 22, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004450 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900-- |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne influence |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Physical condition rated excellent; still used as a residence, with a well-kept yard and large tree. Possible porch alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.80110, -95.39645 (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 83004450.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002110
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.