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Historical Downtown Walking Tour |
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| Click here for a walking tour map | |
| 12. | Grissom & Popular Buildings • 220 and 242 Cypress The Grissom-Popular Building dates to 1925 and housed Grissom's Department store from 1925-1939. The store then moved next door to 220 Cypress and 242 became known as the Popular Building. The buildings still retain some of their historic fabric. |
| 13. | O'Kelley Office Supply • 290 Cypress Designed by David S. Castle and Company this building was constructed in 1929 to house the W. G. Waldrop & Company furniture store. Montgomery Ward occupied the building from 1934 to 1959. O'Kelley Office Supply (673-6422) has occupied the building since 1968. Many of the original Art Deco architectural features of the building remain intact. |
| 14. | Mims Building • 275 Cypress Built in 1926 by W. G. Swenson, George Paxton and H. O. Wooten; the Mims was designed by David S. Castle. This eight-story building was one of two major office buildings constructed during the 1920s boom. The building provided office space to many of Abilene's prominent businessman. W. G. Swenson maintained an office on the 7th floor. The building was renovated in 1980. The original windows were replaced, but the building retains much of its original classical detailing and architectural fabric. |
| 15. | Wooten Hotel • 302 Cypress The 16-story, 200 room hotel was built in 1930 by wholesale grocer W. O. Wooten. The hotel, designed by David S. Castle, had a ballroom with a balcony overlooking the dance floor. Its height and Art Deco design made the building a local landmark for many years. In 1963, the hotel was converted to apartments and the name was changed to Abilene Towers. The Towers closed in 1999, and the building was renovated in 2004 to house market rate apartments and retail shops. |
| 16. | Paramount Theatre • 352 Cypress Another David S. Castle landmark, the Paramount Theatre opened May 19, 1930, as part of the Wooten Hotel development. The 3-story theatre features Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, Art Deco light fixtures and is best known for the stars and clouds that move across its ceiling. The theatre closed in 1979 and was saved from demolition by local preservation efforts. A complete restoration of the theatre was completed in 1987. The theatre is now operated by a non-profit organization and is a center for classic and art films, and the performing arts (676-9620). |
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