San Angelo National Bank, Johnson and Taylor, and Schwartz and Raas Buildings
Why it's listed
Three side-by-side commercial buildings on East Concho Avenue in San Angelo date from the mid 1880s, when the town was building its first permanent structures. The San Angelo National Bank received a stone facade in 1884, attached to an older adobe building and built by J.C. Lillis. In 1885 Schwartz & Raas had architect Oscar Ruffini design the Johnson & Taylor building next door, and in 1886 their own store was remodeled, reportedly by Ruffini. The bank moved out in 1902, and the buildings later housed many tenants. Alterations include a collapsed bank parapet in the 1920s, lost cornices on the Johnson & Taylor front, and a 1973 fire that severely damaged the Schwartz & Raas building. Original pressed tin ceilings survive in the bank and Schwartz & Raas interiors. They are listed as some of the oldest commercial buildings in the city. In 1974 an owner bought all three to restore the facades and adapt the interiors for retail use.
Significance in brief: They are among the oldest commercial buildings and structures remaining in San Angelo, dating from its first surge of permanent construction in the mid 1880s. They reflect the growth of Concho Avenue as the town's commercial center. The Johnson & Taylor building was among the early commissions of local architect Oscar Ruffini.
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 78002988, listed April 7, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 20--22, 24, 26 E. Concho Ave., San Angelo |
|---|---|
| County | Tom Green County |
| Listed | April 7, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002988 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Lillis, Ruffini, Ruffini (J.C. Lillis for the bank facade; Oscar Ruffini for the Johnson & Taylor and Schwartz & Raas buildings) |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Marked occupied-status unclear; the form checks work in progress and vacant. Restoration of the three facades and rehabilitation for commercial use were underway after a 1974 purchase. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 31.46063, -100.43452 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 78002988.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110000173
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.