Magnolias, The
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Why it's listed
Built by early Jefferson settler Dan Alley, The Magnolias is a white frame, one-and-a-half story house at 209 East Broadway in Jefferson, Texas. Though constructed after the Civil War, it is strongly Greek Revival in character. Its five-bay front gallery has slender fluted Doric columns, and the main entrance has an unusual segmental-arched transom and deeply recessed, paneled framing. Inside, a central hall is divided by a wooden elliptical arch, and double drawing rooms can be separated by sliding doors with etched glass. Alley, who donated half the land for the city, lived here until 1873, when the property passed to his daughter Victoria Alley Crawford. Col. W. B. Ward, a leading businessman and bank president, bought it in 1876. The house, named for the large trees around it, also served as a civic and social center, and the 1881 Club, the oldest chartered club in Texas, was organized here in 1881.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the outstanding homes in Jefferson. It argues the house is a strongly Greek Revival example of the style's late appeal in Texas, long after its abandonment in the East. It was also home to prominent Jefferson businessmen and served as a civic and social center, where the "1881 Club" was organized.
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 71000951, listed March 31, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 209 E. Broadway, Jefferson |
|---|---|
| County | Marion County |
| Listed | March 31, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000951 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific dates 1868, 1873) |
| Architect / builder | Dan Alley |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition and unaltered, on its original site; occupied as a private residence, with second-floor rooms converted to apartments. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 32.76167, -94.35289 (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 71000951.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002266
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.