Schlesser-Burrows House
Why it's listed
Built in 1912 at 1123 Harvard in the Houston Heights, this one-story square brick house was constructed by contractor Joe Schlesser for his own family. It has a hipped roof and an ornate, arched, projecting bay on the front facade above a recessed doorway. Corner brick pilasters of the bay porch rise above the roofline, with a Mission-style parapet between them. Cast stone caps the parapet and forms the window lintels, sills and the voussoirs of the wide entrance arch. The single front door has a transom and is flanked by windows with tracery. The house has common-bond brick walls, a composition roof, an interior brick chimney and a basement. It was recognized for its architecture at the local level. Its design is unique for the neighborhood, and the ornamental parapet, described as an "Alamotif," is its strongest high-style feature. Brick construction was not common in the early Heights, and the house reflects the work of local craftsmen who built homes there. It remains a residence in good condition.
Significance in brief: The design is described as unique for its neighborhood. It was built by a contractor for his own family, and several Heights houses were built by such craftsmen. Its ornamental "Alamotif" parapet is the strongest high-style element, and brick construction was uncommon in the early Heights.
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 84001823, listed May 14, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1123 Harvard St., Houston |
|---|---|
| County | Harris County |
| Listed | May 14, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84001823 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900-- |
| Architect / builder | Joe Schlesser |
| Architectural style | Influenced by Mission Style |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residence; physical condition is listed as excellent, with a small, well-kept yard. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.79072, -95.39682 (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 84001823.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002140
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.