Nienstedt, William, House
Also known as: Site No. 6
Why it's listed
Built around 1884 at the corner of Brazos and Texas Streets in Burton, this frame house follows a center-passage plan with a rear ell aligned to the central hall. Its symmetrical front, gabled portico with slender box columns, paneled door with sidelights and transom, and pedimented window architraves reflect Greek Revival influence. Weatherboard siding, a gable roof and native-stone piers complete the main block. Four outbuildings stand behind it, two of them historic. The house is regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of Burton's early vernacular dwellings, with few alterations that detract from its appearance, and a restoration in 1969 was sensitive to its original features. It is also linked to Henry Nienstedt, an immigrant German painter, artisan and carpenter working in Burton by the 1880s, who executed the interior stenciling. His stenciling and marbleizing survive in several local buildings. The property was listed for its architecture and for this craftsmanship.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an intact local example of the center-passage vernacular residence typical of Burton's 19th-century buildings. It is also tied to Henry Nienstedt, one of two documented 19th-century carpenters whose work shaped Burton. His interior stenciling adds to its importance.
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 91000715, listed June 11, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SE corner of Brazos and Texas Sts., Burton |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Listed | June 11, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000715 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1884 |
| Architect / builder | Henry Nienstedt |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival; center-passage plan |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; restored in 1969, retaining the original native-stone piers. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 30.18241, -96.59432 (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 91000715.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002469
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.