Georgetown Light and Water Works
Also known as: Site No. 125
Why it's listed
Near downtown Georgetown, Texas, at 403 West 9th Street, stands a red brick industrial building put up around 1911 as the city's light and water works. It combines a 1-story flat-roofed section with a larger 2-story section under a two-tiered metal gable roof, and a tall concrete smoke stack rises at the southeast corner. Arched 12/12 wooden windows, a steel sash clerestory and corbeled brickwork at the cornice line give it a distinctive look. The building and its surroundings represent the city's first efforts to supply electricity and water to residents. A 1936 bond election funded improvements, completed in July 1937, including a new diesel engine. It was judged the best remaining industrial building in Georgetown and the only intact one over 50 years old, and was recognized for its architecture at the local level. After rehabilitation in 1985-86 it became the city's police station, and it retains its integrity.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is the best remaining industrial building in Georgetown and the only intact industrial building over 50 years old in the community. It is significant under Criterion C in architecture at the local level, with its arched 12/12 wooden windows and corbeled cornice making it distinctive. It also represents the city's earliest efforts to provide electricity and water.
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 96000074, listed February 16, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 403 W. 9th, Georgetown |
|---|---|
| County | Williamson County |
| Listed | February 16, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000074 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1911 |
| Architectural style | No style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rehabilitated in 1985-86 and reused as the city police station; described as in good condition and retaining its integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 30.63617, -97.68049 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 96000074.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5547023
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.