Turner, James, House
Why it's listed
Built between 1850 and 1854 for merchant and financier George Gammon Gregg and his bride, this one-story frame house at 406 S. Washington Avenue in Marshall, Texas, is among the oldest structures still standing in the city. Its plan follows the Greek Revival model of a central hall flanked by two square rooms on each side, with a gable roof, two chimneys and a fireplace in every room. An 1890 porch added Victorian details such as slender turned columns. The house was moved to the neighboring lot in 1928. James Turner, a lawyer, Civil War officer, mayor of Marshall and attorney for the Texas and Pacific Railroad, acquired it in 1866 and lived there until 1913. It remained in the Turner family. Restoration starting in 1977 replaced the roof with wood shingles, removed a rear shed addition and returned the porch to its 1890 look. The original design remains largely intact.
Significance in brief: It is one of the oldest structures standing in Marshall and shows early Greek Revival elements and the transition to Victorian style. It is also tied to two prominent local families, the Gregg and Turner families, who owned and occupied it for about 125 years. It has kept its architectural integrity despite the move.
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 79002974, listed November 7, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 406 W. Washington Ave., Marshall |
|---|---|
| County | Harrison County |
| Listed | November 7, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002974 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1850-1854 |
| Architect / builder | G.G. Gregg |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, with Victorian porch alterations |
| Areas of significance | Law, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored beginning in 1977 by a descendant of James Turner; the front porch was returned to its 1890 appearance and the form lists it as occupied, private residence use. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.54209, -94.36715 (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 79002974.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q30623222
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.