Baty-Plummer House
Why it's listed
Standing on a corner lot at 708 Sherman Street in Paris, Texas, this 1½-story frame cottage dates to about 1890-95. The architect or builder is unknown. An L-shaped wraparound verandah links the south and east lateral gables, and the shingled gable ends carry delicate vergeboards. The dormer windows are good examples of Eastlake design, and the detailing overall is described as exceptionally bold. The house was listed for its architecture, as a fine and largely intact late Victorian cottage of Eastlake styling, with significance at the local level. It was also the home for many years of Mrs. William (Mollie) Baty. Alterations are modest: concrete steps have been added, and the porch brackets and balustrade are missing. The wood frame walls and composition roof remain in good condition, and the building continues to serve as a residence, as it did originally. Its prominent corner position makes it a visible example of Victorian-era domestic building in the city.
Significance in brief: The house is described as a fine and intact late Victorian cottage with Eastlake styling and exceptionally bold detailing. It was also the home for many years of Mrs. William (Mollie) Baty. Its significance is local and rests on architecture.
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 88001931, listed October 26, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 708 Sherman, Paris |
|---|---|
| County | Lamar County |
| Listed | October 26, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88001931 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Eastlake |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Physical condition is listed as good and the present use is residence; the concrete steps are an alteration, and the porch brackets and balustrade are missing. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 33.65916, -101.48835 (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 88001931.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001169
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.