Curtis, Alice Ghormley, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1906 at 1626 South Washington Street in Amarillo, this two-story house has a yellow brick exterior, red brick foundation, and a low bellcast hipped roof topped by a small widow's walk. A one-story porch with white columns, a brick balustrade, and a denticulated cornice wraps the front and north sides. Pedimented dormers carry garlands and modillioned eaves, and the interior has egg-and-dart moldings, carved mantels, and Tuscan columns in the entry hall. Alice Ghormley Curtis, widow of Texas Ranger and Panhandle rancher W.R. Curtis, had it built after moving to Amarillo. Local contractor J.D. Singleton constructed it. The house was recognized for its Classical Revival detailing, a style spread by the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, pattern books, and prefabricated parts. It sits in a period of rapid growth in Amarillo driven by the railroads. A frame garage on the lot also contributes, and the house now holds offices.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an excellent local example of exuberant Classical Revival detailing, meeting Criterion C in Architecture. Its wraparound porch with Tuscan columns, pedimented dormers with garlands, and dentil and modillion trim define the style. It also reflects the building boom that followed Amarillo's rapid growth around the railroads.
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 92000980, listed August 14, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1626 S. Washington St., Amarillo |
|---|---|
| County | Potter County |
| Listed | August 14, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000980 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1906 |
| Architect / builder | Singleton, J.D. |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition with a high degree of integrity and no major alterations; currently used as office space. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 35.19679, -101.84887 (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 92000980.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107320596
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.