National Register Listing

Old Bryant-Link Building

a.k.a. West Texas Utilities

120 S. Swenson, Stamford, TX

The West Texas Utilities Building in Stamford is perhaps the city's most impressive architectural achievement, as well as a historically significant structure on both the local and regional levels. Started in 1928 for the Bryant-Link Company, one of Stamford's earliest and most successful commercial ventures, it remains one of the best and, perhaps, the only commercial example of the Plateresque style in the entire region.

The Bryant-Link Company began in Anson as a small farm-implements/dry-goods store in 1884. During 1900 the firm opened a store in Stamford and moved the company headquarters to the new city. The company prospered, and by the mid-1930s it owned stores in Stamford, Lamesa, Jayton, Post, and Spur. During the late 1920s, at the height of its prosperity, the company decided to construct a new and fashionable building on the site of its original large brick building. This structure was built in 1928 to house the company's home offices and its local dry goods and department store operation.

The firm chose the popular Spanish Colonial Revival (Plateresque) style to portray a lavish and contemporary picture for the public. The entire 850-ft. front facade was made of precast concrete in San Antonio, then shipped to the site and installed on the new building. Since its construction, it has remained one of Stamford's most noteworthy and unusual structures. After serving the Bryant-Link Company and other tenants for decades, the building was purchased by West Texas Utilities in 1973. the remodeling of the interior and refurbishing of the exterior, basically in a sympathetic manner, the structure was ready to embark on its next half-century as a local landmark and viable commercial structure. It has served the West Texas Utilities Company well for over a decade and shows every sign of forging ahead into the next century with its original character and most of its fabric intact.
After

Local significance of the building:
Architecture

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.

architecture
The state flower of Texas is the bluebonnet. The flower blooms in the spring and is a common sight along the highways and in fields throughout the state.
Texas random facts
Jones County is located in central Texas and has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Comanche and Kiowa. European exploration of the region began in the 16th century when Spanish explorers ventured into Texas. However, it was not until the mid-19th century that Jones County was established.

In the 1830s, during the Texas Revolution, settlers began to move into the area that would become Jones County. The region was originally part of Bexar County, but in 1858 it became its own county and was named after Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic of Texas. The county quickly grew with the establishment of farms, ranches, and small towns.

During the American Civil War, Jones County gained notoriety for its unique stance. While most of Texas sided with the Confederacy, Jones County declared itself neutral. This neutrality was mainly motivated by opposition to the Confederacy's conscription policies and the belief that the war was fought for the benefit of the wealthy planters. The county formed its own militia, known as the Jones County Union Guards, and resisted conscription efforts.

After the Civil War, the county experienced a period of growth and development. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century helped spur economic growth in the area. The town of Anson, the county seat, became an important shipping point for agricultural products. Ranching and farming continued to be the primary industries in the county, with cotton becoming a major cash crop.

In the 20th century, the county continued to thrive, with the discovery of oil and gas deposits providing a boost to the local economy. Today, Jones County remains a vibrant community with a mix of agricultural, industrial, and service-based industries. The county is known for its rich history, scenic landscapes, and friendly communities.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Jones County, Texas.

  • 1858 - Jones County is formed from Bexar and Bosque Counties.
  • 1861-1865 - Jones County sends troops to fight in the American Civil War.
  • 1881 - The Texas Central Railway is built through Jones County, bringing economic growth.
  • 1890s - The county experiences an oil boom, attracting investors and workers.
  • 1928 - The construction of Fort Phantom Hill Dam begins, providing water and hydroelectric power.
  • 1930s - The Great Depression hits Jones County, causing economic hardships.
  • 1940s-1950s - Jones County experiences population decline and agricultural challenges.
  • 1990s-present - The county sees some economic recovery with the growth of wind energy production.