Becker-Hildebrandt House
Also known as: Dittmann,Louis E., House; #283
Why it's listed
Built around 1860 for Dr. Becker, a physician who practiced in Brenham and Kinney, this one-story frame house follows the center-passage plan common in the mid-to-late 19th century. It rests on brick piers and is clad in narrow clapboard with asphalt shingles. A projecting gable portico on boxed columns shelters a paneled door with sidelights and a transom, and the five-bay front has original 6/6 windows with louvered shutters. The house was moved from College and Key Streets to its present site in 1912, when the portico was rebuilt. The Hildebrandt family, owners of the local ice company, bought it in 1919 and converted it to a duplex. Renovations in 1979-80 added fireplaces, and a noncontributing garage sits at the northwest corner. The house was listed for its Greek Revival character in vernacular form, being one of the few surviving mid-19th century homes in Brenham and the only known one of its scale and style.
Significance in brief: The house is argued to be significant under Criterion C as a representative of Greek Revival influence in mid-19th century vernacular domestic architecture. It is one of the few surviving mid-19th century residences in Brenham and the only known one of its scale and style. Despite its relocation and alterations, it is said to retain a high degree of 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 90000456, listed March 29, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1402 S. Church, Brenham |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Listed | March 29, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000456 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1860 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (vernacular) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The property is described as being in excellent condition and remains in use as a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 30.15644, -96.39649 (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 90000456.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110000825
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.