Sampson, George W., House
Also known as: Sampson-Nalle House
Why it's listed
Built between 1875 and 1877 at the northeast corner of Rio Grande and Tenth Streets in Austin, this two-story limestone house was commissioned by merchant George W. Sampson at a cost of about $8,000. Its low multi-hip roof, bracketed eaves, segmental arch openings and rusticated quoins mark it as High Victorian Italianate. Later additions, including an early 1900s Classical Revival double gallery with Corinthian columns and a 1920s porte-cochere, match the quality of the original work. Inside, fourteen-foot ceilings, thick stone walls, travertine mantels and an early indoor bathroom with a rooftop copper tank survive in part. A carriage house and a stone cottage remain on the lot. The house passed through Sampson's daughters to the Nalle and Smoot families, and the Nalle line connects it to Texas governors. It is one of the few historic residences left in a downtown neighborhood largely replaced by offices and apartments, and it has stayed in family hands.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a good example of High Victorian Italianate architecture with outstanding stone craftsmanship, plus early 1900s Classical Revival and 1920s porte-cochere additions. It is also one of the oldest Austin residences continuously owned and occupied by one family. Its owners were linked to prominent families, including two associated with the Governor's office.
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 82004526, listed July 8, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1003 Rio Grande, Austin |
|---|---|
| County | Travis County |
| Listed | July 8, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004526 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1875-1877 |
| Architectural style | High Victorian Italianate, with Classical Revival double gallery additions |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence by a descendant of the original owner; condition marked excellent and altered, with original furnishings largely retained. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | West Downtown Austin Historic District |
| Coordinates | 30.27377, -97.74794 (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 82004526.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110022925
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.