West Texas Utilities Company Power Plant
Also known as: 748
Why it's listed
Built between 1920 and 1922 near Cedar Creek and the Wichita Valley Railroad tracks in Abilene, this power plant has produced electricity for the city and surrounding communities since 1920. The main structure combines cast-in-place concrete framing with brick infill, with one- to four-story sections, three small stacks and a large brick smokestack that was reported at 182 feet and called the highest object in West Texas. A brick addition was made to the north end in 1948. The complex also has storage buildings and stone entry gates. An out-of-town utility company, American Public Service Company, announced the project in 1919, promising a very modern plant that would also serve towns from Merkel to Cisco. W.C. Hedrick of Dallas was the contractor. The plant is listed for its connection to Abilene's growth as a distribution center in West Texas, and it remains in good condition and in use.
Significance in brief: The plant is nominated under Criterion A in the area of Commerce for its link to Abilene's role as a wholesale and distribution center in West Texas. It supplied electricity to Abilene and seven nearby towns and has generated power since 1920. The form says it remains in good condition and retains its integrity.
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 92000217, listed March 23, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 100 Block of N. Second St., Abilene |
|---|---|
| County | Taylor County |
| Listed | March 23, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000217 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1920-1939 |
| Architect / builder | Hedrick, W.C. (contractor) |
| Architectural style | Other: industrial: power plant |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition, retaining integrity, and still owned by West Texas Utilities and used as an energy facility. |
| Acreage | 10 |
| Coordinates | 32.45088, -99.72222 (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 92000217.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107320184
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.