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