Old Weather Bureau Building

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, in my own words. You know, some buildings just do one thing and do it well. But every now and then you come across a place that watched the skies, housed a man, educated a few minds, and somehow kept its dignity through all of it.

This old structure in Abilene is exactly that kind of place. Completed in 1909 for the Abilene Office of the United States Weather Bureau, it was built to do serious work. And it shows.

Step back and look at the exterior, and you'll notice something a little unusual. The detailing draws from several architectural styles, all gathered together on one building, like the architect couldn't quite make up his mind, or maybe just couldn't stop himself. Inside, though, the purpose was clear.

Living quarters for the administrator, and an observatory. One man's home and his window to the heavens, all under the same roof. Now the first official in charge here was a fellow named W.

H. Green. And W.

H. Green was not a man who left in a hurry. He served until 1944.

Think about that. The weather changed every single day, and W. H.

Green was there to record it. Eventually, area weather services were moved out to the airport, as these things go. The building then found new lives.

Storage for a while. Then business school classes. Not exactly cloud-watching, but the walls held.

Some structures just endure, and this one has earned the right to stand here on the Taylor County landscape and remind you that someone, once, looked up from this very spot and told the rest of Abilene what was coming.

What the marker says

This structure was completed for the Abilene Office of the United States Weather Bureau in 1909. The interior contained living quarters and an observatory for the administrator. The first official in charge here was W. H. Green, who served until 1944. Area weather services were later moved to the airport and the building was used for storage and for business school classes. The exterior features detailing of several architectural styles. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1980