Ackers, William and Mary, House
Also known as: 1311
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built about 1925 at the corner of Mulberry and North Eighth streets in Abilene, this two-story house shows the influence of Prairie School architecture. It has a square plan, brick veneer walls, a low hipped roof with wide eaves covered in green tile, and wood double-hung windows set between continuous string courses. The three-bay front porch rests on massive brick piers and carries short, tapered brick columns, and a porte cochere extends to the south. A one-story garage/apartment at the rear corner of the lot repeats the main house's detailing. The house was listed for its architecture. Abilene grew rapidly after World War I, and most new homes followed bungalow or Prairie School patterns. Prairie-influenced examples were far less common than bungalows, and this one is regarded as among the best and least altered, with strong horizontal lines and careful craftsmanship. The architect and builder are unknown.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of Abilene's best and most intact examples of a dwelling with Prairie School-influenced features. It is noted for its strong horizontal emphasis, refined porch detailing and quality of craftsmanship. It is tied to Abilene's 1920s growth as a railroad-driven wholesale and distribution center.
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 92000214, listed March 23, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 802 Mulberry St., Abilene |
|---|---|
| County | Taylor County |
| Listed | March 23, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000214 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1925 |
| Architectural style | Prairie School |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and retaining its integrity; still used as a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.44951, -99.73977 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 92000214.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107320230
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.