Sessums-James House
Also known as: Alexander Sessums--William James House
Why it's listed
Built around 1894 at 3802 Spencer in Houston, this one-story wood-frame house combines an L-plan with Queen Anne touches such as a wraparound porch, a projecting gable over a three-sided bay, and hipped dormers. It sits on patterned brick piers and is clad in cypress lap siding. The land was bought in 1892 by John and Ann Sessums, African Americans who settled on a rural tract between White Oak Bayou and the expanding railroad yards. John Sessums was a skilled carpenter and a founder of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, and the quality of the construction suggests the Sessums men helped build the house. His son John Jr. was the only African American member of the Houston Light Guard. William James, a railroad-connected teamster, bought the house in 1903 and later extended the porch. The house was listed for its role in Black ethnic heritage, its architecture, and its archaeological potential.
Significance in brief: The house reflects the economic growth of Houston's African American community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is linked to John Sessums Jr., a Houston Light Guard member. It is a well-preserved vernacular Queen Anne residence built by an African American builder. The surrounding undisturbed property could also yield archaeological information about construction techniques and yard use.
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 98001344, listed November 19, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3802 Spencer, Houston |
|---|---|
| County | Harris County |
| Listed | November 19, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98001344 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1894-1948 |
| Architect / builder | Sessums, Alexander |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian: Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Black, Architecture, Historic - Non-Aboriginal |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as vacant/not in use; described as in very good condition with some weather and vacancy-related deterioration. Windows and doors are covered with plywood. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.77534, -95.39945 (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 98001344.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001121
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.