Motz, Charles, House
Also known as: 641
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Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built around 1910 at 1842 North Fifth Street in Abilene, this two-story frame house is a local example of Colonial Revival design. It has a rectangular plan, wood siding, asphalt shingles and a side-facing gambrel roof, a form rarely seen on the city's houses. The symmetrical front has a three-bay hipped porch with Tuscan supports, two entry doors, and one-over-one wood windows. A shed dormer and interior brick chimneys complete the roofline. A one-story side-gable garage also contributes to the property, while a modern carport does not. Charles Motz, for whom the house was apparently built, was a prominent businessman who sold insurance and real estate. The house stands in one of Abilene's older and more intact residential neighborhoods. Colonial Revival houses were only marginally popular in early twentieth-century Texas, and relatively few were built in Abilene, which makes this one of the most noteworthy local illustrations of the style. It was listed for its architecture and remains virtually unaltered.
Significance in brief: It is nominated under Criterion C in the area of Architecture as an outstanding local example of Colonial Revival design. Its gambrel roof is rarely seen on Abilene houses, and few Colonial Revival dwellings were built in the city. The house is virtually unaltered and retains its integrity.
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 92000216, listed March 23, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1842 N. Fifth St., Abilene |
|---|---|
| County | Taylor County |
| Listed | March 23, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000216 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1910 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as presently unoccupied, in fair condition (elsewhere called somewhat poor) and virtually unaltered. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.45454, -99.74364 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 92000216.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001324
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.