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Historical Downtown Walking Tour |
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| Click here for a walking tour map | |
| 17. | Hilton Hotel (The Windsor) • 401 Pine Built in 1927 by the Abilene Hotel Co., which was then owned by one of Abilene's most prominent businessmen. The hotel was leased by Conrad Hilton and was the first hotel to bear his name. It was renamed the Windsor Hotel when Hilton's lease ended in 1945. The Windsor (677-0824) was restored and renovated to offer retirement apartments. The facade and first and second floors, including an exquisite ball room, were restored using David S. Castle's original drawings. |
| 18. | Federal Building • 341 Pine The original Federal Building was constructed in 1901 and had a large Victorian bandstand located on the grounds. On September 27, 1927, Charles Lindbergh spoke to a crowd of thousands from the bandstand. A new Federal Building was constructed in 1937. Through local efforts, the original building was saved only to be torn down in 1964 to allow for the expansion of the current facility. |
| 19. | Minter Building • 244 Pine Taylor County's first department store Minter's Dry Goods was built in 1925. The two-story structure with Gothic detailing and terra-cotta facade is one of David S. Castle's finest designs. Minter's was sold in 1974 and closed in 1986. The building is now a cooperative featuring arts and crafts, and gifts of every kind and a restaurant is located on the mezzanine. |
| 20. | McLemore-Bass Building • 216 Pine In 1991, the owners and craftsman used historic photographs to restore this business to its original 1930s appearance. The building, on the National Register of Historic Places. |
| 21. | Jordan Taylor Building • 201 Walnut This building was constructed in 1927 by J. M. Radford and originally housed the Poston-Hemphill Department Store. G. W. Waldrop moved his furniture business to this site in 1934. In 1987, the Waldrops restored the façade to its 1927 appearance. Today is is home to Jordan Taylor and Co., offering home furnishings, garden accessories and gifts. |
| 22. | Wooten Wholesale Grocery (Pfeifer Building) • 101 Walnut This structure, built in 1906, served as the headquarters for H. O. Wooten's Wholesale Grocery. Established in 1898, this business was one of Abilene's best known and most important. By 1948, the firm had 14-branch warehouses in West Texas. In 1911, a fire destroyed much of the building and many of the business records. The building was rebuilt the following year. Mr. Wooten was one of the most influential businessmen in the community and the Wooten name was connected to many other developments. The grocery business occupied this site until the 1950s. |
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