Barnes, Charles W., House
Also known as: Site #22
Why it's listed
Built in 1885 at 1105 East 12th Street in Austin, this two-story Victorian house was constructed for Charles Barnes, a wholesale and retail dealer in staples and fancy groceries. It sits on a slope, so parts of its full limestone basement show above ground; the stone is lightly plastered or whitewashed and scored, and the basement windows are arched six-over-six units. A slightly off-center entrance on the north facade rises to a one-story porch carried on two turned columns, with a double door, transom and small gable above. A brick-pier bay projects on the east side, and a standing-seam metal roof covers the house and its two-story rear porch. Parts of that porch were enclosed after 1935. The house is recognized as one of the largest and most architecturally significant residences in East Austin, and its prominent hilltop position reflected the owner's prosperity and social status. It remains in good condition and in residential use.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the largest and most architecturally significant residential structures in East Austin. Its hilltop siting and simple but elegant Victorian design expressed the prosperity and social standing of its owner, a wholesale and retail grocer.
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 85002266, listed September 17, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1105 E. 12th St., Austin |
|---|---|
| County | Travis County |
| Listed | September 17, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002266 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899, 1900- |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Physical condition is described as good; the current use is residential (rental). The rear porch was partially enclosed after 1935. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 30.27231, -97.72862 (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 85002266.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002305
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.