McClendon-Abney Hardware Company
Why it's listed
Built in 1901 at 119 East Lufkin Avenue, this brick commercial building was constructed by D. A. Ballew under a mechanic's lien for two matching brick storehouses fronting Lufkin Avenue. Each was to be 25 feet wide and 70 feet deep, with a thick dividing wall between them. The two buildings share an identical plan and facade but have separate legal descriptions and ownership, so they are treated as separate structures. The west space keeps its original recessed entry, awning lights, canvas awning, pressed metal ceiling and display cases, while the east space has a modern aluminum and glass storefront. The building later housed the McClendon-Abney Hardware Company, listed in the 1937 city directory, and an earlier 1928 directory shows a variety store. Some remaining hardware store contents are now kept at the local museum. It was listed as a very good example of early Lufkin retail architecture, significant at the local level, and it remains in retail use in good condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a very good example of an early Lufkin retail structure that remains in good condition. It keeps original pressed metal ceilings and some furnishings from the McClendon-Abney Hardware Company. The area of significance is architecture at the local level.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 88002782, listed December 22, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 119 Lufkin Ave., East, Lufkin |
|---|---|
| County | Angelina County |
| Listed | December 22, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88002782 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | D. A. Ballew |
| Architectural style | Early 20th Century Commercial |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is retail; condition is good, and the exterior and interior are well preserved. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 31.33921, -94.72827 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 88002782.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107321624
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.