Burleson-Knispel House
Why it's listed
Built in 1855 by Major Edward Burleson, Jr., this homestead north of San Marcos began as a one-story, four-room house of native limestone with walls 20 inches thick. A brick second story was added between 1880 and 1900, and later additions included a shed porch and an interior stairway in the 1940s. Features such as the rectangular form, gable-end chimneys and a removed exterior stairway reflect German influence in central Texas. The property is described as the oldest standing home in Hays County. Edward Burleson, Jr. was the son of General Edward Burleson, a figure in the Texas independence movement. After 1877 William Green ran the land as Riverhead Farms, an irrigated truck-farming operation, and built most of the outbuildings. August Knispel bought the farm in 1911 and raised cotton, corn and beef. The homestead includes a former slave quarters building, wells, barns and sheds, and it remains a working farm.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the oldest standing home in Hays County, closely tied to the prominent Burleson family, the growth of San Marcos and Texas history. It is a refined example of mid-nineteenth-century pioneer architecture with German-influenced features. The surrounding outbuildings and the property's continuing farming use also reflect its agricultural heritage.
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 79002975, listed August 3, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1.5 mi. N of San Marcos on Lime Kiln Rd, San Marcos |
|---|---|
| County | Hays County |
| Listed | August 3, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002975 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Major Edward Burleson, Jr. (builder of the 1855 house); William Green built most of the outbuildings between 1877 and 1912 |
| Architectural style | Pioneer Texas architecture with German settler influence |
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence and operating farm; condition listed as good. |
| Acreage | 5.1 |
| Coordinates | 29.91225, -97.92889 (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 79002975.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q140166995
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.