1 'o' Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register: N/A

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1 NPS Form (Rev. 8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM OMB No FEB NATIONAL B&GISTER 1. NAME OF PROPERTY Historic name: Harrison, Gerard A., House Other name/site number: Site No LOCATION Street & number: 209 East Caney City/town: Wharton Not for publication: N/A State: TX County: Wharton Code: 481 Zip Code: CLASSIFICATION Ownership of Property: Private Category of Property: Building Number of Resources within Property: Contributing Noncontributing 1 'o' 0 0 _0_ buildings _0_ sites _0 structures _0_ objects 0 Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register: N/A Name of related multiple property listing: Historic and Architectural Resources of Wharton, Wharton County, Texas

2 USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form Page ffl 4. STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this _x_nomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property _x_meets does not meet the National Register criteria. S&e continuation-^ eet. igrtature or certifying/official Date State Historic Preservation Offirer, Texas Histnriral Cnrnmissinn State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. See continuation sheet. Signature of commenting or other official Date State or Federal agency and bureau 5. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CERTinCATION I, hereby certify that this property is:, totlou&l EoglBtii entered in the National Register See continuation sheet. <y^^^aaho^' -^ A^A?? determined eligible for the National Register _ See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the National Register removed from the National Register other (explain): /^Signature of the Keeper Date of Action

3 *USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form Page #3 6. FUNCTION OR USE Historic: DOMESTIC: Single Dwelling Currem: DOMESTIC: Single Dwelling 7. DESCRIPTION Architectural Classification: OTHER: Pyramid-roof House Materials: foundation Brick walls Wood roof Asphalt other N/A Describe present and historic physical appearance. X See continuation sheet. 8. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Certifying official has considered the significance of this property in relation to other properties: locally Applicable National Register Criteria: B, C Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) : N/A Areas of Significance: Commerce; Architecture Period(s) of Significance: ca ; ca Significam Dates: ca. 1875, ca Significant Person(s): Harrison, Gerard A. Cultural Affiliation: N/A Architect/Builder: Unknown State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, arui areas and periods of significance noted above. X See continuation sheet.

4 HPSFomlMOa^ OUB Appmrm No 101*0018 ^*B) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _Z Page l Harrison, Gerard A.. House wharton, Wharton County, Texas Description: The Gerard A. Harrison House is a 1 1/2-story frame dwelling facing south on East Caney Street. Dominated by a massive pyramidal roof with asphalt shingles, the house rests on brick piers and is covered with weatherboard siding. A porch is inset on the south and east facades with the roof supports being a combination of Doric columns on brick piers and square full-height brick piers. Double gable-front dormers connected by a multi- light shed-roof dormer highlight the principal facade. The windows include 9/1 and 6/1 wooden double-hung sashes. The Gerard A. Harrison House is a 1 1/2-story frame dwelling facing south on East Caney Street roughly two blocks from the courthouse square. A massive pyramidal roof with asphalt shingles dominates the house which rests on brick piers. Weatherboard siding sheathes the wood frame. Two interior chimneys with corbeled capitals rise from the west and east slopes of the roof. The 3-bay principal (south) facade is defined by a set of three 9/1 windows in the first and third bays and a single door with transoms and sidelights in the center bay. An inset porch that begins on the south facade and wraps around one-half of the east facade (ending in a second set of steps) is the most prominent feature on the principal facade and its most stylized feature. Doric columns resting on brick piers are interspersed with fullheight brick piers both supporting the broad roof. A balustrade of turned balusters connects the porch piers. A second prominent feature is an arrangement of dormer windows, two gable-front dormers with 6/1 windows connected by a shed-roofed dormer with smaller 6/1 windows. A small porch covered with a shed roof supported by turned-wood columns is attached to the rear (north) facade. A partially graveled driveway extends house. along the eastern side of the

5 HPS Form IMOX (8*8) OUB Appmm No 102*0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Paga 2 Harrison, Gerard A.. House Wharton, Wharton County, Texas Statement of S i g n i f i c a n c e : The Gerard A. Harrison House i s s i g n i f i c a n t as the l a s t remaining property associated w i t h t h i s prominent community leader and as an e x c e l l e n t example of the pyramid-roof house from the l a t e 19th century. I t i s e l i g i b l e under C r i t e r i o n B i n the area of commerce and C r i t e r i o n C under a r c h i t e c t u r e both associated w i t h the context: Co/Trniunity Development i n Wharton, Texas, The property r e t a i n s a high degree of i n t e g r i t y. The Gerard A. Harrison House was probably b u i l t i n the l a s t quarter of the 19th century and r e f l e c t s the strong Lower South influence of Wharton's architecture. Although the record i s unclear, the property was b u i l t f o r Dr. J. P h i l l i p s a leading doctor w i t h a drug store on the courthouse square. The house was the p r i n c i p a l b u i l d i n g on f i v e acres owned by Dr. P h i l l i p s. By 1906, the house was owned by W.J. and Mary P h i l l i p s (probably i n h e r i t e d ) and was r e f e r r e d t o i n subsequent deeds as the " P h i l l i p s home place." I n 1907 the house was purchased and the deed t r a n s f e r r e d t o G.A. Harrison. Gerard A. Harrison ( ) was the son of B. "Burr" A. Harrison ( ), a prominent 19th- and e a r l y 20th-century farmer and rancher i n Wharton County (some ten miles northeast of Wharton). He assumed the management of h i s f a t h e r ' s property and holdings i n 1889 a f t e r an i n t e r i m period of management by a r e l a t i v e. I n 1889, i t i s estimated t h a t Harrison owned 3,000 acres of land w i t h a large number of tenants, many former slaves. Under the d i r e c t i o n of Gerard, the landholdings grew t o over 7,000 acres w i t h a general s t o r e, post o f f i c e, and r a i l r o a d s t a t i o n s e r v i c i n g the p l a n t a t i o n. The l i t t l e community was named "Burr" i n honor of his f a t h e r. The area was e s p e c i a l l y prosperous w i t h sugar cane and cotton production. The purchase of the P h i l l i p ' s "home place" probably represents a s h i f t by Gerard t o l i v i n g and working out of the larger community of Wharton. This house served as the primary c i t y residence of Gerard and h i s second w i f e, Ruth Raymond Cloud, whom he married i n The house may have been purchased as the new home f o r h i s w i f e. Gerard l i v e d i n the house u n t i l h i s death i n During t h a t period, he was a c t i v e i n l o c a l a f f a i r s serving as president of the Wharton County Fair Association (1913) and one of e i g h t d i r e c t o r s of the Security Bank and Trust Company (1916). Gerard A. Harrison was a major landowner and farmer of Wharton County. His successful a g r i c u l t u r a l business would have c o n t r i b u t e d g r e a t l y t o the economic development of Wharton at the t u r n of the century. This period resulted i n Wharton's most s i g n i f i c a n t growth manifested i n the c o n s t r u c t i o n of many commercial and r e s i d e n t i a l b u i l d i n g s. Because of h i s prominence and c o n t r i b u t i o n t o Wharton's development, and t h a t t h i s served as h i s residence while these important c o n t r i b u t i o n s were made, the house i s e l i g i b l e f o r l i s t i n g under C r i t e r i o n B f o r i t s association w i t h Harrison. The house i s also s i g n i f i c a n t f o r i t s a r c h i t e c t u r e. I t remains as the f i n e s t example of a s o p h i s t i c a t e d 1-story pyramid-roof house t y p i c a l of the Lower South a r c h i t e c t u r e. The house i n may ways r e f l e c t s the a r c h i t e c t u r e of Louisiana p l a n t a t i o n s w i t h i t s massive r o o f, i n t e r i o r b r i c k chimneys, large dormers, and expansive porch. Some a l t e r a t i o n s (e.g. b r i c k p i e r s ) t o the o r i g i n a l house may have been made by Harrison a f t e r a c q u i s i t i o n i n These perhaps give the house a s l i g h t e a r l y 20th century appearance. However,

6 NPS Fomi IMOO* OUB Approvm No 101*0018 (8*8) United States Department of the interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Page _ J _ "u''''i:^ ''' u^''f'"* ^' i!"""^^ " Wharton, Wharton County, Texas the 9/1 and 6/1 lights and roof form are clearly reminiscent of the Lower South architecture. Because of this significance in the context of Wharton'i residential architecture, the property is eligible under Criterion C. The Gerard A. Harrison House remains in the Harrison family. It is currently owned by Raymond Harrison.

7 *USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form Page #4 9. MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES See bibliography of historic context statement. _x_ See continuation sheet. Previous documentation on file (NPS): N/A _ preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested. _ previously listed in fhe National Register _ previously determined eligible by the National Register _ designated a National Historic Landmark _ recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey ff _ recorded by Historic American Engineering Record ff Primary Location of Additional Data: X State historic preservation office (Texas Historical Commission^ _ Other state agency _ Federal agency _ Local government _ University _ Other - Specify Repository: 10. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA Acreage of Property: Less than one acre UTM References: Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing A B C D ' See continuation sheet. Verbal Boundary Description: Original Town Site, Block 27, Lot 5 Boundary Justification: The property includes all areas historically associated with the building. 11. FORM PREPARED BY (assisted by Dwayne Jones, Preservation Planner, THC staff) Name/Title: Ed Galloway and Ralph Newlan Organization: Hardy-Heck-Moore Date: July 1989 January 1992 Street & Number: 2112 Rio Grande Telephone: City or Town: Austin State: TX Zip: 78705

8 NPS Fomi » (8-861 OMB Approval No United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Page Wharton MRA TEXAS Wharton County COVER Substantive Bevie. Date Listed 1. Abovi^^,3^.fi5jjogi^^^^ 2. Banker, Willie, Jr., Houss i?i.>i * ' ' 3. Bernstein, Moses, House feti^p^ ls JAt* 4. Bolton Outlar House Jiat.lmvn.:! HotjlStW' Colorado River Bridge Catered In tbi '?!»,tlqjqa.l Hefflaf^ Croom, Wiley J., House Substantive Beview Dannon, F. F., House fiubatautlve Besiow rered in ta«8. Davidson, Dr. Green, House ^^f*nnftl KeglEtrit 9. Davis, Ben and Mary, House ^m^j/^ml BfigSMtW 10. Elkins, Nettie, House Substatatlv Beview totered in tbi 11. Elliott, E. Clyde and Mary, House Mattn"<^"' fleglai Watered in the 12. First Methodist Episcopal Church South, Old ^^AtilQaal Rogi^x,^ 13. Garrett, Henry B., House SuDSCttUtiVjU B*>»i6W interns 5ii 'SBS 14. Garrett, John A. and Sophie, House ^Iff^tigPAl Hftg^*'^. 15. Gifford, George C. and Annie, House f^na-^ BogiKtr^ tatorod fa isbb 16. Hamilton, Joseph Andrew, House ata4 n*^' 17. Harrison, Gerard A., House 18. Harrison Dennis House 19. Hawes, Edwin, House 20. Hawes, Edwin, Jr., House inpjil. Ssjjj^ffc^ ^//^/f ^petcrain'rc!' ^A/^/93 3A/^A9^ J//M 3 ^//^A9 3 2iA^/93 ^A^'^Af 5 V/^/9^ 3//^/9^ ^/ys'a9y ^A/^A3 ^//s-af^ 3//^/9^ i//^a^ ^A^A^ TA-

9 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY NAME : MULTIPLE NAME: Harrison, Gerard A., House Wharton MPS STATE & COUNTY: TEXAS, Wharton DATE RECEIVED: 2/01/93 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 2/16/93 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 3/04/93 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 3/18/93 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 5 0 YEARS: N OTHER: N PDIL: N PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: N COMMENT WAIVER: N di^ccept RETURN ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: RECOM./CRITERIA REVIEWER DISCIPLINE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N

10 CLASSIFICATION count resource type STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION FUNCTION historic current DESCRIPTION.architectural classification.materials.descriptive text SIGNIFICANCE Period Areas of Significance Check and justify below Specific dates Statement of Significance Builder/Architect (in one paragraph) summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria.justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception other BIBLIOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHICAL DATA acreage verbal boundary description UTMs boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION sketch maps USGS maps photographs presentation OTHER COMMENTS Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone Signed Date

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12 Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: