H.R. No. 1998
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Many proud citizens of Abilene gathered at the
William G. and Shirley Swenson Home on April 10, 2011, to celebrate
its designation as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark; and
WHEREAS, Designed by Abilene architect William P. Preston,
the two-story structure was completed around 1910 for the family of
William Gray Swenson; this first generation Swedish-American
entrepreneur and civic leader held key positions at Citizens
National Bank from its founding in 1902 until the 1960s; as
president of Abilene Light and the Abilene Ice Company, he brought
vital improvements to the city's infrastructure; he was also
instrumental in the establishment of the Abilene and Northern
Railroad and the Roscoe, Snyder, and Pacific Railroad and served as
a director of both railways; moreover, he was involved in the
development and construction of numerous major buildings that
continue to grace downtown Abilene today; and
WHEREAS, The Swenson Home features the broad overhangs and
long, horizontal lines indicative of the Prairie architectural
style, along with Mission-inspired elements such as the quatrefoil
windows and a curved dormer over the front entrance; in 1928, the
6,300-square-foot residence underwent exterior modification as the
original cypress siding was covered with a brick veneer, the wood
shake roof was converted to clay tile, and a grape arbor was added;
the finely crafted interior features a grand staircase often used
as a setting for formal photographs; and
WHEREAS, Until 1986, the home remained in the Swenson family;
Sue Edmunda Stubbeman, a granddaughter of the original owner and
the wife of former state representative David Stubbeman, proposed
that it be donated to the Abilene Preservation League, and that
organization continues to own and maintain it today; and
WHEREAS, Thought to be the largest and most intact early
20th-century residence in the city, the Swenson Home has been
considered an Abilene landmark since the time of its construction,
and it is indeed fitting that it has received the highest honor that
the state can bestow on a historic structure; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the dedication of the William G. and
Shirley Swenson Home as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and
commend all those involved in preserving this irreplaceable
treasure.
King of Taylor
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1998 was adopted by the House on May
26, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House