Grierson-Sproul House
Also known as: Sproul House
Why it's listed
Built in 1908 at the western edge of Fort Davis, Texas, this one-story, ell-shaped house is made of pink limestone laid in a random ashlar pattern, set on a gray granite foundation. B. H. Grierson, Jr., a local investor and rancher, built it during the town's single construction boom, in a style recalling the buildings of nearby Fort Davis. A fire in 1912 badly damaged the house, and in 1914 rancher Franklin Lee Sproul bought it and directed a reconstruction. The interior was rebuilt around a central hall, and the porch and entrances were altered. Sproul served as county sheriff from 1914 until his death in 1933, and his wife later filled out his term. The house became a gathering place for the small circle of ranching families, including reading and cultural clubs. The original garage, carriage house and water tank tower survive. Restoration to the 1914 appearance is under way.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a good example of early twentieth century stone masonry vernacular architecture in Fort Davis, built during the town's brief construction boom and echoing the military architecture of the nearby fort. It is also linked to B. H. Grierson, Jr., and to rancher and sheriff Franklin Lee Sproul, whose household was a hub of local social life.
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 82004508, listed August 11, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Court Ave., Fort Davis |
|---|---|
| County | Jeff Davis County |
| Listed | August 11, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004508 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific dates 1908 & 1914) |
| Architectural style | Vernacular with minor Bungalow influence |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Fair condition and in the process of being restored to its 1914 appearance; unoccupied for a number of years before the 1979 purchase, and listed as occupied private residence. |
| Acreage | 3.9 |
| Coordinates | 30.59057, -103.90509 (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 82004508.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q30625526
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.