Isbell House
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Why it's listed
Built in 1907-08 at 639 Heights Boulevard in Houston, this two-story frame house combines eclectic design with some bungalow influence. It is clad in clapboard and shingles under a composition roof. A high-peaked gable projects from the front, with a pair of double windows on the second floor of the gable end. An inset porch wraps around to the side, two single front doors have transoms, and a brick chimney rises from the structure. A large finished room on the second floor was originally used for public meetings. The house is considered unusual for its area, but its main importance comes from Robert Isbell, the fourth mayor of the Heights, who served in 1913-14. He helped organize the South Texas Oilmen's Association and was an officer in the Fidelity Cotton Oil and Fertilizer Company. In 1914 he moved to Taft, Texas, to manage Taft Industries, and his family returned to the house after his death in 1920. The lot is heavily landscaped and fenced.
Significance in brief: The house has an unusual design for the area, but its principal significance is as the home of Robert Isbell, the fourth mayor of the Heights (1913-14). He helped organize the South Texas Oilmen's Association and held an office in the Fidelity Cotton Oil and Fertilizer Company. Areas of significance are listed as architecture, commerce and politics/government 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 83004465, listed June 22, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 639 Heights Blvd., Houston |
|---|---|
| County | Harris County |
| Listed | June 22, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004465 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900-- |
| Architectural style | Bungalow influence; eclectic |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Physical condition is listed as excellent; present use is residence. An enclosed swimming pool was added to the south of the house. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.78258, -95.39807 (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 83004465.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19880902
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.