Dodd-Harkrider House
Also known as: 680
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Why it's listed
This 2 1/2-story frame house at 2026 North Third Street in Abilene was built about 1915 by Elizabeth Dodd. It follows the American Four Square form, with a modified square plan, wood siding, a side gable roof with extended eaves and a slight bellcast, and a broad one-story shed-roof porch across the south front. Windows have single-light lower sashes and multiple-light upper sashes, and upper-floor windows are paired. A two-story garage/apartment and a small board-and-batten shed also contribute to the property. The Harkrider family bought the house in 1919. Rupert Harkrider rose through the James M. Radford Grocery Company, one of Abilene's leading businesses, becoming sales manager by 1915, secretary by 1926 and later vice president. His wife Mary was a prominent rancher and cattlewoman and later started the local Red Cross effort during World War II. The house was listed for its association with Rupert Harkrider and Abilene's commercial growth.
Significance in brief: The house is nominated under Criterion B in the area of Commerce for its association with Rupert Harkrider, a sales manager, secretary and later vice president of the James M. Radford Grocery Company, and his wife Mary. Both were dedicated to Abilene's advancement as an influential west Texas community. It relates to the context of the railroad and Abilene's growth into a 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 92000222, listed March 23, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2026 N. Third St., Abilene |
|---|---|
| County | Taylor County |
| Listed | March 23, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000222 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1926-1933 (amended by the Keeper to 1926-1939) |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Other: American Four Square |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Commerce |
| 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 | 32.45326, -99.74661 (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 92000222.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107320225
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.