Phillips and Trosper Buildings
Why it's listed
Two matching two-story limestone commercial buildings stand at 408 and 410 East 3rd Street in Lampasas, half a block west of the courthouse square. Built in 1884, the Phillips building on the east was erected by businessman D.W. Phillips for about $3,000, and the Trosper building beside it appears to have been built at the same time. Both share a High Victorian Italianate front with arched openings, scored plaster resembling stone blocks, plaster hoods and a pressed tin cornice. They date from the years when Lampasas was the western end of the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railroad line and 3rd Street became a leading commercial street. Later storefront remodeling and decades of neglect took a toll, but a restoration beginning in 1983 returned the facades to their original appearance. The Phillips building now holds a retail space downstairs and apartments above. They are described as the only restored matched pair of High Victorian commercial buildings left in town.
Significance in brief: They are survivors from the period when Lampasas was the western terminus of the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railroad (1882-1888). They are described as the only restored example in Lampasas of matched High Victorian commercial buildings, with finer Italianate detailing than earlier masonry commercial buildings in town. They anchor a small remnant of late 19th-century commercial structures on 3rd Street.
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 87000676, listed April 30, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 408 and 410 E. Third St., Lampasas |
|---|---|
| County | Lampasas County |
| Listed | April 30, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000676 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific date 1884) |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | High Victorian Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Exteriors restored and interiors rehabilitated after 1983; the Phillips building has a first-floor retail space and two second-floor apartments, while rehabilitation of the Trosper building had not yet begun. Condition is listed as excellent and altered. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 31.06561, -98.17875 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 87000676.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107320103
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.