OUR STORY

Take a step back into Abilene History.

The Swenson House was built in 1910 by the Swenson family and is an Abilene Landmark. We are proud to preserve this lovely home and share its rich history with visitors from all over the world. We host many events on property throughout the year, such as Haunted Abilene, Christmas Parties, Derby Day, Murder Mystery Dinners, Kaffe Fest, and other private events. Tours are available to be scheduled as well as weddings and other functions. We hope you join us in preserving this gem of Abilene!

W.G. and Shirley Swenson

William Gray & Shirley Swenson met as students at Southwestern University. They married & settled in Abilene, where he had grown up. Swenson was a first generation Swedish-American, & he was a lifelong entrepreneur & businessman in Abilene. His father Swante Johan, who died early, was a nephew of S.M. Swenson, who was the first Swedish person to come to Texas & was Secretary of State under Sam Houston.

The city first enjoyed 24 hour electrical service under his over-sight as Chief of Operations at the Abilene Light & Water Company (eventually West Texas Utilities Company) & another business associated with it, the Abilene Ice Company.

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Swenson worked to establish and to serve on the governing boards for the Fort Worth & Denver Railway, the Abilene & Northern Railroad, the Rasco Snyder & Pacific Railroad. His real estate projects included the Mims building in 1926 and the Hilton hotel in 1927, which was the very first hotel to have the name of Conrad Hilton!