Bassett and Bassett Banking House
Why it's listed
Built in 1873 at the corner of Main and Market Streets in Brenham, this masonry building housed the Bassett and Bassett bank on the ground floor and law offices above. Brothers Benjamin Henry and Thomas Jefferson Bassett, originally from Louisiana, founded the bank in 1866, and it operated as a privately owned, unchartered institution until it closed in 1884. The law practice of Sayles and Bassett continued in the building afterward. Wild and Company Brickyard constructed it, and a local newspaper called it one of the most tasty and valuable business houses in town. Round-arched openings, stucco hood moldings, plaster-covered pilasters and brick stringcourses mark its Italianate design, a style uncommon in Brenham. In the early 1900s the Milroy family added a third floor and an extra bay, matching the original materials and detailing, and lived on the second floor. The original vault door, decorated in gold gilt, survives. Recent renovation has repaired the exterior and cleared the first floor.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the most architecturally significant structures in Brenham's commercial center. Italianate style is uncommon in the town, and the building's three street elevations make it distinctive. It was also the office of one of the town's earliest private banks, organized in 1866.
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 83003168, listed April 21, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 222 E. Main St., Brenham |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Listed | April 21, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003168 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Wild and Company Brickyard |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Marked occupied and in good condition; recently renovated, with exterior plaster and windows repaired and later additions cleared from the original first-floor banking offices. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Brenham Downtown Historic District |
| Coordinates | 30.16763, -96.39640 (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 83003168.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002476
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.