The Roma Historic District was created in 1972, and is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.
The district encompasses most of downtown, from roughly US 83 on the east to the Rio Grande on the west, and from West Garfield Ave on the North to West Bravo Street (the road leading to the Roma- Cd. Miguel Aleman International Bridge) on the south.
Most of the buildings in the district were built by late 19th-century local architect Heinrich Portscheller, who has a street named for him downtown and a historic marker in his honor, both located in this historic district.
From the City of Roma TX National Historic Landmark Nomination Form: (
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"15) Brick Commercial/Domestic Building [Contributing]
507 Estrella Street
Block 11, Lot 8
1884
The one-story, brick building located at the southeast corner of
Estrella and Juarez is of unknown history. Location on Juarez,
with its wharf access dominating street use in the 19th century,
suggests at least a partial commercial function. Classical
detailing is evocative of architect Portscheller. Design
highlights include a banded box treatment of the Estrella facade,
molded-brick dentilated cornice and tall, narrowly proportioned
fenestration. The interior space is divided into three main
rooms, with a rear brick unit addition making the structure a
modified ell. A shallow basement is visible through deteriorated
flooring. In the main room (east), near the center of the
building, a ceiling beam is dated "Junio 1 1884" (June 1, 1884)
in burned lettering. The roof is of flat tile-brick type. Today
the structure is vacant."