Street, Spencer Boyd, Houses
Why it's listed
Two frame houses side by side on Third Street in Graham, Texas, record the life of merchant Spencer Boyd Street and the growth of the town. The smaller house at 804 Third began as a cottage in 1878 and was enlarged in 1889, in the 1890s, and again in the late 1940s. Its additions show a common pattern of expanding a home as a family grew. The larger house at 800 Third was completed by 1905 after Street bought the corner lot. It has two-and-a-half stories, two-story porches, Ionic columns, and a living hall with pocket doors. Its design blends Colonial Revival forms with Queen Anne features such as a shingled dormer. The house has seen almost no alteration, and its original furniture and kitchen fittings remain with Street's descendants. Street ran a successful dry-goods business and was among Graham's leading businessmen from 1880 until his death in 1910. The houses are valued for illustrating the town's early development and for their integrity.
Significance in brief: The houses illustrate Graham's early settlement and its growth as the county seat around the turn of the century. The first house is one of few structures remaining from the initial settlement period and documents how homes were enlarged to meet family needs. The second house is described as perhaps the least altered and most substantial turn-of-the-century house in the community, and it was built by a leading local businessman.
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 84002005, listed August 16, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 800 and 804 3rd St., Graham |
|---|---|
| County | Young County |
| Listed | August 16, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002005 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (built for Spencer Boyd Street; carpenter J.C. Casburn executed additions to the first house) |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival (800 Third Street, with Queen Anne influences); modest frame cottage with Doric porch columns (804 Third Street) |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Both houses are occupied private residences in excellent condition; the 800 Third Street house is largely unaltered and retains original furniture. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 33.10555, -98.58568 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 84002005.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107319803
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.