Allen, Robert C., House
Also known as: Hearnewood
Why it's listed
Built in 1901 at 402 Cedar Street in Hearne, this two-and-a-half-story house was commissioned by Robert C. Allen, a mercantile businessman, mayor, bank president and co-founder of the Hearne and Brazos Valley Railroad. Waco architect William W. Larmour designed it at a cost of about $7,500, and it was among the town's finest residences. Its asymmetrical massing reflects Queen Anne style, the shingled upper floor shows Shingle Style influence, and the classically detailed wraparound porch recalls Colonial Revival design. Exterior materials include scored stucco over brick, shingle siding and carved wood ornament. Inside, carved Texas longleaf pine, Eastlake spindlework, pocket doors and imported fireplaces survive. A 1933 remodeling by Atkinson and Sanders enclosed a balcony and made other minor changes, but the house retains its integrity to an unusual degree. It is regarded as one of the best preserved turn-of-the-century homes in Hearne and as a fine example of Larmour's late work.
Significance in brief: The house is considered an excellent and exceptionally well-preserved example of an eclectic turn-of-the-century residence combining Queen Anne, Shingle Style and Colonial Revival elements. It is also tied to Robert C. Allen, who helped shape Hearne's early development, and to architect W. W. Larmour, whose career is described as brilliant and who designed it near its end.
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 82004521, listed August 11, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 402 Cedar St., Hearne |
|---|---|
| County | Robertson County |
| Listed | August 11, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004521 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900-1901 |
| Architect / builder | William W. Larmour (architect); 1933 remodeling by Atkinson and Sanders of Bryan, Texas |
| Architectural style | Eclectic turn-of-the-century residence with Queen Anne, Shingle Style and Colonial Revival influences |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, virtually unaltered, and occupied as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 30.87906, -96.59622 (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 82004521.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002290
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.