Federal Building - Abilene, TX
Posted by: 
WalksfarTX
N 32° 27.126 W 099° 43.948
14S E 431155 N 3590785
Federal Courthouse and Post Office built by the Treasury Department in 1936.
Waymark Code: WM112R5
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 08/05/2019
Views: 2
NRHP Nomination Form"The Federal Building in Abilene is a massive 3-story brick, Art Deco building with a square main block flanked by side and rear wings. The concealed roof is flat. The building encompasses much of a city block and its front extends almost the entire length of the block facing North Third and North Fourth streets. Although additions were built onto the south and rear sides, the front section is virtually unaltered.
The front (west) elevation is symmetrically composed with eight vertical bays. The end bays project slightly from the main block and contain the primary entrances. Applied cast stone or terra cotta facing with Art Deco motifs mark the entrances that are set within 2-story tall openings. The six inner bays are delineated by 3-story vertical elements that resemble pilasters and have stylized aluminum sash windows with patterned spandrels between the floors. The parapet contains rich Art Deco detailing including chevron motifs along the cornice.
By the early 1930s a new federal building was deemed necessary to meet growing demands as well as to provide jobs in the Depression era. On March 22, 1935 Mayor C.L. Johnson broke ground for the new federal building, designed by local architect David S. Castle. The A. Smith Company of Chicago, Illinois served as general contractor and built the building for $267,500. The Federal Building opened in 1936 and is still used today."