North Sixth and Ramona Streets. The Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. Photograph by Bobby Dalby, 1993/1994, Smithville Heritage Society for nomination document, Smithville Residential Historic District, NR# 95001395, accessed July, 2025.
The Smithville Residential Historic District [†] encompasses approximately 150 acres and about 50 city blocks surrounding the central business district. The district is characterized by a variety of residential, institutional, and some commercial buildings, most of which date from 1887 to 1945. The area retains a high degree of historical integrity, with a significant portion of its late 19th and early 20th-century fabric still intact. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to its significance in architecture and community planning and development.
The district is roughly bounded by Cleveland, First, Mills, N. 9th, Burleson, Colorado, and the Colorado River. The boundaries are defined by the original Smithville townsite and three residential subdivisions platted between 1887 and 1945. The Colorado River forms the northern boundary, while the southern, eastern, and western boundaries are set by street grids and subdivision lines. The area is largely residential, with Main Street serving as the principal thoroughfare, extending from the railroad depot to the Colorado River.
Smithville’s origins trace back to early Mexican land grants, specifically the Louis Loomis and Thomas Gazley leagues. Although settlement began in the 1830s, significant growth occurred after the arrival of the railroad in 1887. The Smithville Town Company, formed by local entrepreneurs, platted the townsite to attract railroad development. The arrival of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad (MKT) spurred rapid population growth and construction, transforming Smithville into a regional rail hub and leading to a construction boom that lasted through the 1940s. The population grew from 60 in 1880 to over 3,000 by 1930, with most residential development occurring north, east, and west of the central business district.
The district displays a diverse range of architectural styles and vernacular forms. Most properties are single-family dwellings, both one and two stories, with bungalows and pyramidal-roof houses being especially prevalent. Larger lots are occupied by Queen Anne and Classical Revival houses, which add variety to the district. Buildings are generally constructed with wood, with some stucco, brick, and stone elements. Roofs are typically asphalt or metal. Streets are lined with mature pecan, live oak, and hackberry trees, and generous lawns and shrubbery contribute to the district’s cohesive appearance.
Pyramidal roof houses, the most common form, feature hipped roofs and often display Classical or Victorian details. Double-pen or two-room houses, center-passage houses, L-plan, and T-plan houses represent various vernacular forms from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Bungalows, popular from 1910 to 1930, are noted for their horizontal emphasis, gable roofs, and Craftsman details. The American Four-square, Queen Anne, Classical Revival, and Tudor Revival styles are also present, with several outstanding examples such as the Burleson House (Queen Anne) and the Buescher House (Classical Revival).
The district includes several churches, schools, and institutional buildings, such as the First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, First Christian Church, and the Old Central School. The Smithville Post Office, built in 1937, is a notable Classical Revival building featuring a New Deal-era mural by Minette Teichmueller. Some commercial buildings are found along Main Street and adjacent roads, though many have been altered or are of more recent construction.
Within the district, 191 buildings are classified as contributing, meaning they date from the period of significance (1887–1945) and retain their historical integrity. There are 173 noncontributing buildings, which either post-date 1945 or have undergone significant alterations such as the addition of artificial siding, porch modifications, or window changes. The definitions for contributing and noncontributing status are based on the number and type of alterations and the building’s construction date.
The district’s grid street pattern, established at right angles to the railroad, reflects late 19th-century planning ideals. Streets vary in width and paving, with Main Street being the broadest and most formal. Landscaping features include mature trees, ornamental fencing, and consistent building setbacks that create generous lawns. Oral histories indicate that many iron fences were removed during World War II for the war effort, and pecan trees were encouraged as a source of supplemental income for property owners.
Several builders contributed to the district’s development, including V.S. Rabb (Sr. and Jr.), Calcasieu Lumber Company, Charles H. Tumey, M.M. Tumey Lumber Company, Sam W. Ingram, Temple Lumber Company, Roger Byrne, and Olin C. Fite. These builders were responsible for many of the district’s houses and institutional buildings, and some operated local brickyards that supplied materials for construction.
The Smithville Residential Historic District is significant for its association with the development of Smithville as a railroad town and for its well-preserved examples of late 19th and early 20th-century residential architecture. The district’s inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places recognizes its importance in community planning, architecture, and the broader patterns of local history. The district remains a cohesive and largely intact representation of Smithville’s historical growth and architectural heritage.
``` Sources [1] SmithvilleResidentialHDTXSMALL.pdf https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/attachments/69619257/f6af14b3-4ae5-4a95-ae64-6baf1affd31b/SmithvilleResidentialHDTXSMALL.pdfStreet Names
1st Street NE • 1st Street NW • 2nd Street NE • 3rd Street NE • 3rd Street NW • 4th Street NE • 4th Street NW • 5th Street NW • 6th Street East • 8th Street East • 9th Street East • Burleson Street • Cleveland Street • Colorado Street • Gresham Street • Hudgins Street • Main Street • Mills Street • Olive Street • Ramona Street • Short Street