SWENSON HOUSE ABILENE
Our History
Take a step back into Abilene History.
Swensonhouse.com is the official website of Swenson House Historical Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the Swenson House and sharing its history with the community.
Built in 1910 by the Swenson family, the house is a designated Abilene landmark. We care for the home, its grounds, and its historic contents while welcoming visitors through guided tours, educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and community events.
Our programs serve schools, universities, civic groups, and individuals. The house also welcomes private rentals and hosts traditions such as Haunted Abilene, Chocolate Fest, Murder Mystery Dinners, and seasonal celebrations.
Whether you visit, volunteer, become a member, or donate, your support helps preserve this piece of Abilene’s history for generations to come.
Swenson House Historical Society
EIN: 83-1824537
1726 Swenson Street, Abilene, TX 79603
Swenson House before the 1928 remodeling. Notice the broad eaves, quatrefoil windows, and curved dormers.
W.G. and Shirley Swenson
William Gray Swenson and Shirley McCollum met at Southwestern University and married in 1902. They returned to Abilene and raised four children. Their home brings the family’s private life together with the story of a growing West Texas city.
A role in Abilene’s growth
William Gray helped establish Citizens National Bank in 1902. He later helped reorganize Abilene’s utility companies, and under his leadership electrical service expanded from evenings to continuous power. He also organized the Abilene Street Railway, which began service in 1908.
His work extended to real estate, including the Mims Building and the Hilton Hotel, as well as service on the school board and in the chamber of commerce. These connections make the house a useful starting point for exploring changes in transportation, business, and everyday life.
Architecture that tells a story
Designed by William P. Preston, the house combines Prairie-style horizontal lines and broad eaves with Mission-style details such as quatrefoil windows and curved dormers. Look closely: architecture is evidence of both taste and practical choices.
In 1928, the family transformed the exterior with buff brick and a clay tile roof and added a sunroom. The house visitors see today reflects this evolution, rather than a single moment frozen in time.
A timeline of Swenson House
1902 — William Gray and Shirley marry and settle in Abilene.
About 1910 — Their home is completed.
1928 — Major remodeling changes the exterior and adds the sunroom.
1969 and 1974 — William Gray and Shirley die, respectively.
1986 — The family donates the house to the Abilene Preservation League.
1987 — The house enters the National Register of Historic Places collection.
2010 — The Texas Historical Commission designates it a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
Today — The Swenson House Historical Society preserves and shares the house with the community.
Preserve. Promote. Protect.
Preservation is ongoing work. Volunteers, members, and visitors help keep the house, its contents, and its stories available to future generations. A tour, an educational visit, or time spent volunteering can be a first step into that work.
Historical sources
Texas Historical Commission: Swenson House historical marker, number 16526.
National Park Service: William and Shirley Swenson House, National Register record 87002148.
Texas State Historical Association: “Swenson, William Gray,” by Katharyn Duff.
The Swenson family. Family photographs help connect the house’s rooms with the people who lived here.