West, James and Jessie, Mansion
Also known as: Lunar Science Institute; Lunar and Planetary Institute
Why it's listed
Built in 1929-1930 on Clear Lake in southeast Harris County, this 17,000-square-foot Italian Renaissance villa was the centerpiece of a ranch of about 30,000 acres owned by lumberman James Marion West and his wife Jessie. Houston architect Joseph Finger designed it with stucco over hollow tile, limestone and cast concrete trim, and a ceramic tile roof. Inside are a two-story walnut-panelled living room, a nearly 50-foot Palm Room with zig-zag marble floors, and Art Deco details. West rose from sawmill worker to a leading figure in the Texas timber industry, later adding oil, ranching and real estate. The family lived here from 1930 to 1941. After decades of vacancy and neglect, Rice University rehabilitated the house in 1969 for the Lunar Science Institute. It was sold in 1994 with preservation covenants and is currently vacant. Its significance rests on West's career and on Finger's distinctive architecture.
Significance in brief: The mansion is described as one of the largest and most opulent houses built in Texas in the 1920s. It is the building most closely tied to James Marion West Sr., a major Texas timber figure with ranching and oil interests. It also represents the work of prominent architect Joseph Finger, with fine craftsmanship and Art Deco interiors. Significance is at the state 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 94001015, listed August 19, 1994. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3303 NASA Rd. 1, Pasadena |
|---|---|
| County | Harris County |
| Listed | August 19, 1994 |
| Reference number | 94001015 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1929-1941 |
| Architect / builder | Finger, Joseph (architect) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Italian Renaissance |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Sold by Rice University in 1994 with special deed covenants recognizing its historic significance; the property is now vacant. It was rehabilitated in 1969 and is well maintained with few signs of deterioration. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 29.56051, -95.07467 (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 94001015.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002824
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.