McFadin House
Why it's listed
Built in 1851 of rubble limestone taken from the nearby San Gabriel River bed, this two-story house sits just below a hilltop north of Taylor, Texas. Its central hall plan, symmetrical rooms and fireplaces, and double-tiered pedimented portico reflect the Greek Revival style as interpreted by local builders. Details such as ovolo and scotia mouldings on the mantels, deep splayed window reveals and a double-door entry with pilasters set it apart from the log and frame houses typical of Williamson County before the Civil War. A mason named Hughes, brought from Austin, supervised construction for David H. McFadin. McFadin was one of the first four Anglo-American settlers in the county, served among its first Commissioners in 1848, and built a cattle ranch, cotton gin and lumber mill. His family kept the house for nearly a century, until 1950. The property is considered one of the westernmost examples of the style in early Texas, and the house remains in good condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a noteworthy example of Vernacular Greek Revival architecture on the Texas frontier, with comparatively sophisticated detailing that sets it apart from the log and frame buildings common in the county before the Civil War. It is also tied to David H. McFadin, one of the first four Anglo-American settlers in Williamson County and one of its first four Commissioners in 1848.
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 80004160, listed April 9, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N of Taylor, Taylor |
|---|---|
| County | Williamson County |
| Listed | April 9, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80004160 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | David H. McFadin |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In good condition; used as a weekend home. Altered with 1951 porch additions and 1936 replacement shutters. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 30.63862, -97.42622 (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 80004160.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002611
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.