Wooten, Horace O., House
Also known as: 1418
Why it's listed
Built around 1920 at 242 Beech Street, just west of downtown Abilene, this 2 1/2-story house was the home of Horace O. Wooten, a leading wholesale grocer. Its boxy form, low hipped roof with broad eaves and brick veneer suggest Prairie School design, while round-arched porch bays add Classical Revival touches. Windows have been replaced and some porch bays enclosed or stuccoed, but the original massing and most key features remain. A garage/apartment to the southwest also contributes to the property. Wooten, born in Tyler in 1865, moved to Taylor County as a teenager and entered the wholesale grocery business in 1898. His company, along with other investments in rental housing, ranch land and the Roscoe, Snyder and Pacific Railroad, made him one of the city's most influential businessmen. He lived in the house until his death in 1947. It is the only surviving residence tied to him in Abilene and now serves as offices.
Significance in brief: The house is nominated under Criterion B for its association with Horace O. Wooten, one of three local businessmen whose wholesale operations helped make Abilene a regional distribution center. It is the only surviving residence associated with him in Abilene. It is linked to the context of the railroad and Abilene's growth as a wholesale and distribution center, 1881-1939.
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 92000197, listed March 23, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 242 Beech St., Abilene |
|---|---|
| County | Taylor County |
| Listed | March 23, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000197 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1920-1939 |
| Architectural style | Prairie School |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and retaining integrity, though moderately altered; original windows replaced and porch bays enclosed. Current use is commerce/trade (office). |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.45132, -99.73936 (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 92000197.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q107320213
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.