Thornton, Dr. Penn B., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1899-1900 on a corner lot at 1541 Tulane Street, originally Portland Street, this two-story frame house in Houston Heights was constructed for Dr. Penn B. Thornton. It has a square plan, a hipped roof, clapboard walls and an attached double gallery with square wooden posts and flat balusters on the second floor. The single front door is flanked by pilasters and topped with an ornate pediment, though the doorway has been much altered. Windows are shuttered, with crown molding and one-over-one lights, and an interior brick chimney rises through the roof. The style shows Colonial Revival influence. Thornton was one of a pair of doctors who began converting the Houston Heights Hotel into a hospital in 1899, and his wife took an active part in the social life of the Heights in those years. The house remains a rental residence in excellent condition within a residential neighborhood.
Significance in brief: The house was built for Dr. Penn B. Thornton, one of two doctors who began converting the Houston Heights Hotel into a hospital in 1899. His wife was active in the social life of the Heights at that time. The form lists architecture as an area of significance, with social/humanitarian significance noted, 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 83004480, listed June 22, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1541 Tulane St., Houston |
|---|---|
| County | Harris County |
| Listed | June 22, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004480 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival influence |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Physical condition rated excellent; used as a rental residence. The main doorway is noted as much altered. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.79946, -95.40251 (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 83004480.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002168
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.