Kell, Frank, House
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Why it's listed
Built in 1909 at 900 Bluff Street in Wichita Falls, this two-story brick house reflects the Neo-Classical Revival style. It has a hipped roof, wide bracketed eaves, limestone lintels and sills, and a symmetrical east facade dominated by a two-story portico with four Doric columns. Rounded one-story bays with Ionic columns and balustrades flank the portico. Local firm Jones and Orlopp designed it, apparently elaborating a center-hall pattern-book plan. Inside, an oak-paneled entry with a fireplace and large staircase contrasts with a light-colored formal living room. A library wing was added about 1925, and the original drawings survive. The house was built by Frank Kell (1859-1941), a grain merchant who moved to Wichita Falls in 1897. With partner J.A. Kemp he helped extend rail lines in all directions, turning the town into a transportation hub. He also organized the first electric company and developed the first street railway. He lived in the house until his death.
Significance in brief: The house is significant mainly as the home of Frank Kell (1859-1941), a pioneer Wichita Falls grain merchant and railroad builder. His rail work helped make the town a transportation hub and a regional center of trade and commerce. He also founded or developed other early civic and business enterprises there.
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 78003378, listed November 28, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 900 Bluff St., Wichita Falls |
|---|---|
| County | Wichita County |
| Listed | November 28, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78003378 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Jones and Orlopp, Wichita Falls |
| Architectural style | Neo-Classical Revival |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and occupied (by two daughters of the original owner at the time of nomination). |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 33.90765, -98.49736 (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 78003378.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16988850
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.