Preston, Thaddeus and Josepha, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1885 at 731 E. Austin in Paris, Texas, this asymmetrical 1½-story house sits in an older residential neighborhood with mature vegetation. A verandah supported by Doric columns runs along paired one-over-one windows, and a bay window projects at the east side. A prominent pyramidal roof is broken by gables at the front and sides, the largest holding an arched opening supported by paired Doric colonettes. The land was deeded by Dr. Ford to his daughter Josepha as a wedding present in 1885, and the property changed hands several times before the current owner acquired it in 1956. The house was listed for its architecture. It may have shown a stronger Eastlake appearance when new and was updated with Colonial Revival detailing at the turn of the century, so it reflects two distinct styles. Asbestos siding, apparently wider than the original, covers the walls but does not significantly harm its integrity. It remains a residence.
Significance in brief: The nomination finds the house architecturally noteworthy because it reflects two distinct styles, Eastlake and Colonial Revival. It may have had a stronger Eastlake look when built and was updated with Colonial Revival detailing around the turn of the century. Its significance is rated local.
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 88001915, listed October 26, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 731 E. Austin, Paris |
|---|---|
| County | Lamar County |
| Listed | October 26, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88001915 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Eastlake/Colonial Revival influence |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a residence; the form notes later asbestos siding, apparently wider than the original, which does not significantly affect integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 33.66011, -101.49527 (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 88001915.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001142
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.