National Register Listing

SMS Building

a.k.a. Berry Furniture

101 S. Wetherbee and 210 E. McHarg, Stamford, TX

The Berry Furniture/Swenson (SMS) Land and Cattle Company Building is one of the most significant structures in the city. It is an architecturally sophisticated building, as well as the main local offices for the SMS Land and Cattle Company, Stamford's most historically significant commercial venture.

This building was constructed in 1927 and early 1928 to replace the original Stamford Townsite Company land sales office, built on this location in 1902. The new facility was designed to contain profit-making commercial space in the front two-thirds of the building and to house the SMS Land and Cattle Company's local office in the rear third. The SMS Company felt that an expensive and durable structure was warranted, one that would uphold its image as an important element in the local economy. Thus the company commissioned a sophisticated and unusual building. The entire project was a local affair, as the firm of Nichol and Campbell, Architects, of Abilene, designed the structure while the contractors were C.S. and C.B. Oats, also of Abilene.

The Swenson Land and Cattle Company (SMS Ranches) is one of the great ranching enterprises in Texas. In the Handbook of Texas (1952), the four SMS ranches were said to occupy considerable portions of twelve counties in western Texas comprising more than 3000,000 acres. The SMS Building achieves statewide significance as the principal headquarters for many years of the Swenson Ranches.

The Berry Furniture/SMS Building is one of the most elaborately designed and finely crafted structures in the city. Its understated elegance reflects the SMS Company's conservative, yet impressive, economic and commercial position in the area. It is not a flamboyant building but is exceedingly well built and full of details only apparent to the close and thoughtful observer. It is an important structure, not only in Stamford but in the region and state as well.

Local significance of the building:
Agriculture; 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.

Texas is also home to the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. The venue covers three acres and can hold up to 6,000 people.
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 glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history 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.