Sanborn, Henry B. and Ellen M., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1902, this 1 1/2-story frame house in Amarillo, Texas, was the home of developer Henry B. Sanborn and his wife Ellen until his death in 1912. It has a center-passage plan, a low pyramidal roof with wide bracketed eaves, dentils and modillions, and a full-width porch with slender Ionic columns. The house originally stood on a full block near 5th and 6th avenues. After auction in 1922 it was moved to South Madison Street, where the cupola, a chimney and a weather vane were removed. Sanborn, a barbed wire promoter and ranch partner of Joseph Glidden, promoted the townsite that became Amarillo's central business district. This is the only surviving Amarillo property directly tied to him. It is also considered a late and rare local example of Italianate design. A rear outbuilding is noncontributing.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to Henry Sanborn, a major early developer known as the "father of Amarillo," and is the only surviving Amarillo property directly associated with him. It is also a late and rare local example of Italianate architecture with some classical detailing. Because it was moved, the form applies the criteria consideration for relocated properties.
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 92000982, listed August 14, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1311 S. Madison St., Amarillo |
|---|---|
| County | Potter County |
| Listed | August 14, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000982 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1902-1912 |
| Architectural style | Italianate; Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and retaining integrity, though the central cupola, a chimney and a weather vane were removed in 1922. It continues in use as a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 35.19986, -101.84085 (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 92000982.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110000896
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.