Fort House
Why it's listed
Fort House, at 503 East 4th Street in Waco, is a two-story brick residence in the late Greek Revival style, laid out in an ell-shaped plan. A two-story portico with giant Ionic columns shelters paneled double doors, and the windows carry segmental arched brick hood molds beneath bold wooden entablatures. A wide double gallery runs along the back and the ell. The date of construction is uncertain: marks reading 1854 and 1859 have been found, though the house may date to 1868. It was built for Colonel Fort, a wealthy man born in Alabama in 1826 who farmed near Waco, worked in merchandising, and later opened a private bank that merged with the Waco National Bank. He also owned the city's first public transit line, a mule-drawn street car. The house was listed as an example of the mansions of the post-1860 cotton and cattle era. It now serves as a museum, restored by the Junior League.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the house as an example of the mansions built by men who were building Texas during the cotton and cattle boom from 1860 to 1900. It is noted for its architecture, including the Ionic portico, bold entablatures and brick hood molds. It is also tied to Colonel Fort, a wealthy farmer, merchant, banker and early Waco civic figure.
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 70000849, listed October 15, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 503 E. 4th St., Waco |
|---|---|
| County | McLennan County |
| Listed | October 15, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000849 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1868) |
| Architectural style | Late Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a museum; restored by the Junior League, which removed a second-story balcony and reopened the fireplaces. Condition marked excellent and altered. |
| Acreage | 7 |
| Coordinates | 31.55410, -97.12680 (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 70000849.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107317677
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.