Preslar-Hewitt Building
Why it's listed
Completed in 1914 at the southwest corner of Fourth and Main Streets in Taylor, this two-story brick building is a two-part commercial block with separate storefronts below and offices above. Classical Revival details include pilasters with stylized capitals, a dentil cornice and a symmetrical front, with lighter tan brick trimming the windows. Taylor was then a busy railroad town and one of the nation's major cotton markets, and Main Street was lined with banks and shops. The ground floor has always held two retail spaces, and tenants have included a tailor, grocery, jeweler, ladies' clothing shops, a shoe store and a pharmacy that gave the building its popular name. Upstairs offices housed as many as seven tenants. Renovations between 1999 and 2001 restored the awnings, transoms and windows and converted the upper floor to a loft apartment while keeping most of the original form and materials. The building is valued for its commercial history and its intact design.
Significance in brief: The building is significant under Criterion A for Commerce, as a multi-tenant retail building that has contributed to the economic development of Taylor's central business district since its construction. It is also significant under Criterion C for Architecture, as an intact two-part commercial block with Classical Revival elements and the most prominent building on its block.
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 03000331, listed May 1, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 321-323 N. Main, Taylor |
|---|---|
| County | Williamson County |
| Listed | May 1, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000331 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1914-1952 |
| Architectural style | Two-part commercial block with Classical Revival elements |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Ground floor remains in commercial use; the upper floor was converted to a single loft apartment after renovations in 1999-2001. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 30.57035, -97.41007 (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 03000331.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002616
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.