Blanton, Thomas L., House
Also known as: 2894
Why it's listed
This two-story frame house at 3425 South Seventh Street in Abilene was built about 1920 and shows Prairie School and Bungalow influences. It has brick veneer walls, a center passage plan, a gable roof, and a front porch on brick piers with exposed beams. Overlapping gable ends, grouped windows and a sidelit door give the north facade a tripartite rhythm, and the first-floor windows sit within wide arches. A porte cochere marks the west side, and a two-story garage/apartment with similar detailing stands at the lot's southwest corner. The house is recognized for its link to Thomas L. Blanton, an attorney who served as district judge and then in Congress, where he was known as a colorful, controversial and frugal voice on the Appropriations Committee. Blanton lived here from 1930 to 1936, until his defeat in his final congressional race. It is the Abilene dwelling known to have been owned by him, and it remains in good condition as a private home.
Significance in brief: The house is significant under Criterion B for its association with Thomas L. Blanton, a prominent West Texas attorney and powerful member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He occupied it from 1930 to 1936, the most active and influential period of his political career. It is the only Abilene dwelling known to have been owned by him.
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 92000234, listed March 23, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3425 S. Seventh St., Abilene |
|---|---|
| County | Taylor County |
| Listed | March 23, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000234 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1930-1936 |
| Architectural style | Prairie School, Bungalow |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The nomination states the building is in good condition and retains its integrity; it is still used as a single dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Bankhead Highway Historic District |
| Coordinates | 32.44359, -99.76504 (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 92000234.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107320271
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.