Swenson, A. J., House
305 E. Oliver, Stamford, TX<p>The A.J. Swenson House, 511 E. Oliver, possesses both historical significance and architectural merit. A.J. Swenson, nephew of SMS Ranch owner S.M. Swenson, came to Texas in 1881 and arrived in Jones County to work for his uncle in 1889. In 1894 he took over Swenson's Ellerslie Ranch, then in 1897 became superintendent of all SMS Ranch holdings. In 1922, A.J. became manager of the entire Swenson Land and Cattle Company, a position he held until 1946.</p><p>In 1905, A.J. Swenson decided to build a suitable residence in the town he helped create. A large two-story dwelling was constructed with both Queen Anne and classical features. This home served the Swensons well as a house sufficiently large to raise five sons and as an edifice suitable for a leading citizen of the city. Following A.J.'s death in 1953, the house changed hands and has suffered from neglect, although it still retains its early 20th-century visage and its unusual blend of classical and Queen Anne styling.</p><p>Because of its historical association with the Swensons and its unusual architectural characteristics, this structure stands as one of Stamford's most historic structures.</p>
Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.