Abilene in Taylor County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

William G. and Shirley Swenson Home

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2014

1. William G. and Shirley Swenson Home Marker

Inscription. This two-story brick home was designed by Abilene architect William P. Preston for the family of William Gray and Shirley (McCollum) Swenson, and was completed ca. 1910. Swenson was a first generation Swedish-American, and he was a lifelong entrepreneur and businessman in Abilene. He held leadership positions at Citizens National Bank from the time of its founding in 1902 until the 1960s and also presided over Abilene Light and the Abilene Ice Company. Swenson worked to establish and served on the boards of both the Abilene and Northern Railroad and the Roscoe, Snyder and Pacific Railroad. His real estate projects included the Mims Building (1926) and the Hilton Hotel (1927). The Swensons were founding members of St. Paul Methodist Church, and they raised their four children in this home.
The house’s original cypress siding was covered with buff brick veneer in 1928. Exterior cypress columns were replaced with brick columns, and the wood shake roof was converted to clay tile. Also during this renovation, a porch on the south side was enclosed and a second floor sunroom was added.
The home features the broad overhangs and long, horizontal lines indicative of the Prairie architectural style. Mission-style elements include quatrefoil windows and a curved dormer over the front entrance. After the deaths of W.G. Swenson in 1969 and Shirley Swenson in 1974, ownership of the house remained in the Swenson family until 1986, when it was donated to the Abilene Preservation League.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2010

Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16526.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 32° 28.174′ N, 99° 44.462′ W.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Marker is in Abilene, Texas, in Taylor County. It is at the intersection of Swenson Street and N. 18th Street, on the right when traveling south on Swenson Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1726 Swenson St, Abilene TX 79603, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hardin-Simmons University Student Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fort Babe Shaw Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Albert G. Maroscher Memoriam (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hardin-Simmons University (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Hardin-Simmons Bell (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hardin-Simmons University Campus Triangle (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ackers - McMillan House (approx. 0.8 miles away); James Harrison Parramore (approx. 0.9

Photographed by Kayla Harper, December 13, 2025

2. William G. and Shirley Swenson Home Marker

miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abilene.

William G. and Shirley Swenson Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2014

3. William G. and Shirley Swenson Home

View to west from Swenson Street

View to South Along Swenson Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2014

4. View to South Along Swenson Street

View to North Along Swenson Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2014

5. View to North Along Swenson Street

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2014

6. William G. and Shirley Swenson Home

Front Entrance to Swenson Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, October 8, 2014

7. Front Entrance to Swenson Home

Photographed by Kayla Harper, December 13, 2025

8. William G. and Shirley Swenson Home Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 873 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 16, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 2. submitted on December 19, 2025, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 16, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 8. submitted on December 19, 2025, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas.