Williams-Brueder House
Why it's listed
Built around 1905 on a large corner lot at 245 West 18th Street, this two-story square frame house stands in a part of Houston Heights that has long been busy and partly commercial. It has a hipped roof with a central front gable, shingled and holding a small window. A first-floor porch wraps around to both sides on battered, paneled square columns, a feature the survey calls unusual and attractive. The front door has oval glass, with a transom and sidelights holding stained-glass panes. A screened sleeping porch was added early above the entrance. The windows are one-over-one, and an interior brick chimney rises through the roof. Colonial Revival influence is noted in the style. The house was probably built by T. M. Cowen, a local craftsman, for his own use, and it was recognized as a local example of architecture. It remains a residence and is in good condition after a recent renovation.
Significance in brief: The house is a large, impressive residence in a busy, partly commercial section of Houston Heights. Its battered and paneled square porch columns are described as unusual and attractive. It may be an example of a house built by a skilled craftsman for himself.
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 83004485, listed June 22, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 245 W. 18th St., Houston |
|---|---|
| County | Harris County |
| Listed | June 22, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004485 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900-- |
| Architect / builder | Thomas M. Cowen (?) |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival influence |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is listed as good, with a recent renovation; it is in residential use. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.80157, -95.40039 (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 83004485.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002173
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.