Neumann, William, House
Also known as: Site No. 1
Why it's listed
Built around 1912 on a rise above the town of Burton, Texas, this two-story frame house was constructed by William Neumann, a German immigrant carpenter, for his own family. Its low hipped roof, blocky proportions, wraparound one-story porch with square columns, and symmetrically placed one-over-one windows mark it as an American Four Square, the only one in Burton. The house replaced an older dwelling lost to fire, so some outbuildings may predate it. A pump house, smoke house, garage, barn and sheds stand nearby, and five of the six outbuildings contribute to the property's character. Neumann was one of two known professional carpenters in Burton in the 19th century and is said to have trained two later builders, Will Weeren and Bonham Blackburn. The property was listed for his association with local architecture, as a good example of the Four Square form, and as a surviving farm complex in the outlots platted around Burton. The nominated area is 2.57 acres.
Significance in brief: It is nominated under Criterion C for its link to William Neumann, a skilled German-immigrant carpenter who contributed to Burton's 19th- and 20th-century architecture. It is also the only American Four Square house in Burton. Together with its outbuildings, it is a well-preserved example of a farm complex in the outlots around Burton.
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 91000710, listed June 18, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Navasota St. W of Washington St., Burton |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Listed | June 18, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000710 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1912 |
| Architect / builder | William Neumann |
| Architectural style | Other: American Four Square |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition with a high level of integrity; current function is single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 2.6 |
| Coordinates | 30.17808, -96.60398 (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 91000710.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110000066
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.