{"nrhp_refnum":"92000206","name":"Caldwell Hall","other_names":["62"],"category":"building","location":{"address":"Intracampus Dr., Hardin--Simmons University","address_restricted":false,"city":"Abilene","county":"Taylor County","state":"TX","lat":32.47768194900004,"lon":-99.73552889399997,"geom_source":"nps_gis"},"listed_date":"1992-03-23","is_nhl":false,"nhl_designated_date":null,"areas_of_significance":["Education","Architecture","Social History"],"significance_levels":["local"],"summary":{"what_it_is":"A three-story Classical Revival institutional building on the Hardin-Simmons University campus in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas, constructed in 1922 of load-bearing masonry.","why_significant":"It is significant for its contribution to educational efforts in Abilene and as an example of philanthropy by the city's wealthy citizens, since Clifton M. Caldwell funded its construction. It is also an outstanding local example of Classical Revival architecture. It is described as the least altered and best preserved historic building on the campus.","narrative":"Caldwell Hall is a three-story brick building on the Hardin-Simmons University campus in Abilene, Texas, built in 1922. Its load-bearing masonry walls rest on a concrete foundation and are topped by a parapet hiding a flat roof. The south facade is symmetrical, with a rusticated first story, six fluted Corinthian pilasters, pedimented entrances, and a cornice with modillions and dentils. Funding came from Clifton M. Caldwell, a Breckenridge attorney who profited from the 1919 oil boom and gave $100,000 for a fine arts building; he also owned a music store. The hall reflects the generosity of Abilene's wealthiest citizens toward education during the city's rapid growth in the 1920s. Alterations include replacement of the original wood windows with aluminum ones, a small one-story rear addition, and interior updates in 1962. Even so, it remains the best preserved historic building on the campus and a strong local example of Classical Revival design.","period_of_significance":"1922-1939","architect_builder":null,"architectural_style":"Classical Revival","criteria":["A","C"],"status_note":"Described as in good condition and retaining integrity; still used for education as a college building.","vacant_flag":false,"machine_generated":true,"model":"claude-sonnet-5-5","prompt_version":"v1.0-2026-10-29","generated_at":"2026-10-29 02:54:21.292033-05","source_pdf":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/16/9701/40970116/content/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_TX/92000206.pdf"},"photo":{"url_800":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/92000206/edce0fa457-800.webp","url_1600":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/92000206/edce0fa457-1600.webp","licence":"CC BY-SA 3.0","author":"Billy Hathorn","credit_html":"<a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caldwell_Fine_Arts_Bldg.,_HSU,_Abilene,_TX_IMG_6353.JPG\" rel=\"noopener\">Billy Hathorn</a>, <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0\" rel=\"license noopener\">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons","source_page":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caldwell_Fine_Arts_Bldg.,_HSU,_Abilene,_TX_IMG_6353.JPG"},"district":null,"sources":{"nps_snapshot_date":"2026-05-22","nara_catalog":"https://catalog.archives.gov/id/40970116","wikipedia":null,"wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110001317"},"indexable":true,"url":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/texas/taylor-county/caldwell-hall-92000206/"}