Nance-Jones House
Why it's listed
Built around 1910, this one-story wood bungalow at 426 East Johnston Avenue in Kingsville was constructed by the Kleberg Town and Improvement Company, the firm created to plat and develop the city. Its designer is unknown. The side-gabled house has a wraparound porch with paired square posts, decorative cutouts in the porch rail, knee braces under wide eaves and shed dormer vents, blending Classical Revival and Craftsman details. Oran H. Nance, a railroad auditor and treasurer, bought it in 1911. The Jones family later owned it from 1921 until 1977. Exterior changes are limited, mostly a compatible 1941 rear addition, and original windows, doors, flooring, plaster walls and a buff brick fireplace survive inside. The nomination describes it as the only known example of its style, massing and design in Kingsville and one of the city's most intact bungalows. It was listed for its architecture and for its link to the town's early growth.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a rare, highly intact example in Kingsville of a bungalow combining Craftsman and Classical Revival elements, and the only known example of its style, massing and design in the city. It is also tied to Kingsville's early development through the town improvement company and its early owners, including railroad auditor Oran H. Nance and the Jones family.
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 06001064, listed November 21, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 426 E. Johnston Ave., Kingsville |
|---|---|
| County | Kleberg County |
| Listed | November 21, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06001064 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Designer unknown; built by the Kleberg Town and Improvement Company |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements: Bungalow/Craftsman |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as preserved in excellent condition and still used as a single-family residence. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 27.51080, -97.86434 (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 06001064.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107318800
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.