Bill Text: TX HR1998 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Introduced
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Commemorating the dedication of the William G. and Shirley Swenson Home in Abilene as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2011-05-30 - Reported enrolled [HR1998 Detail]
Download: Texas-2011-HR1998-Introduced.html
Bill Title: Commemorating the dedication of the William G. and Shirley Swenson Home in Abilene as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2011-05-30 - Reported enrolled [HR1998 Detail]
Download: Texas-2011-HR1998-Introduced.html
82R28464 BPG-D | ||
By: King of Taylor | H.R. No. 1998 |
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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. |