Ragsdale-Jackman-Yarbough House
Why it's listed
Built in 1868 at 621 West San Antonio Street in San Marcos, this two-story frame house follows a rectangular, central-hall plan with a one-story kitchen and library extending east. Its symmetrical front facade has a three-bay porch, shuttered four-over-four windows, a round-arch double front door, bracketed eaves and a geometric molded frieze. Peter Ragsdale, a Texas Revolution veteran who fought at San Jacinto, had it built from lumber hauled by oxteam from Indianola. Later, Mrs. Ragsdale ran a girls' school and a hospital for female students there. In 1890 it passed to William Turner Jackman, a cattle-drive veteran who served twenty years as sheriff and later as postmaster. Educators bought and refurbished it in 1947. The porch was rebuilt with square pillars and the rear porch enclosed, yet the carved staircase and original balusters remain. It is described as the oldest occupied residence in town and possibly the oldest frame house.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the oldest occupied residence in San Marcos and possibly the oldest frame house in town. It combines Greek Revival symmetry with restrained early Italianate detail. Its owners, including a Texas Revolution veteran and a long-serving sheriff, contributed to local history.
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 83004507, listed August 26, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 621 W. San Antonio St., San Marcos |
|---|---|
| County | Hays County |
| Listed | August 26, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004507 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival with restrained early Italianate detail |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence in good condition, though altered over the years (porch, rear porch, some interior changes). |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.87927, -97.94632 (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 83004507.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110000474
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.