F. W. Schuerenberg House facts for kids
F. W. Schuerenberg House
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![]() F. W. Schuerenberg House in 2013
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Location | 503 W. Alamo, Brenham, Texas |
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Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1895 |
Architect | Alex Griffen |
Architectural style | Stick/Eastlake, Queen Anne |
MPS | Brenham MPS |
NRHP reference No. | 90000469 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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Added to NRHP | March 29, 1990 |
The F.W. Schuerenberg House is a historic home located in Brenham, Texas. It was built in 1895 for Frederick William Schuerenberg, a local businessman. He was the son of an early German immigrant and owned a blacksmith shop in Brenham. This beautiful house is found at 503 West Alamo Street. It is a great example of Victorian architecture, a popular building style from the late 1800s.
The F.W. Schuerenberg House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. This means it is recognized as an important historical building in the United States. The house was empty for many years, from 2005 until early 2016. Then, a couple from Houston bought it and started working to restore it to its original beauty. Some people say the house has a friendly ghost, the spirit of a small girl who sometimes looks out from a window on the first floor.
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History of the Schuerenberg House
The F.W. Schuerenberg House was completed in 1895. It was designed by architect Alex Griffen. The house was built for Frederick William Schuerenberg, who was an important person in Brenham's early days. He ran a successful blacksmith business, which was very important for the community at that time.
The house has stood for over a century. It has seen many changes in Brenham. Its listing on the National Register of Historic Places helps protect it for future generations. This listing makes sure the house's history and unique design are preserved.
Architectural Style and Features
The F.W. Schuerenberg House shows off a mix of Victorian architectural styles. It mainly features Stick and Eastlake designs. It also has elements of the Queen Anne style. These styles were very popular in the late 19th century.
- Stick Style: This style uses visible wooden "sticks" or boards on the outside walls. These boards create geometric patterns.
- Eastlake Style: This style is known for its fancy, machine-made wooden decorations. You might see carved spindles, brackets, and panels.
- Queen Anne Style: This is often seen in Victorian homes. It includes features like towers, turrets, bay windows, and decorative shingles. The F.W. Schuerenberg House has a lovely bay window on its first floor.
The house's design makes it stand out. It shows the craftsmanship and artistic trends of its time.
The Carriage House
Behind the main house, on Peabody Street, is the old carriage house. In the past, carriage houses were used to store horse-drawn carriages. They also often had stables for horses. The carriage house at the Schuerenberg property has a similar architectural style to the main house. It looks a lot like the Wood-Hughes House, another historic building in Brenham. This shows how similar building styles were used in the area during that period.