Historic Photographs

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Runnels County 150 Years

North side of Hutchings Avenue Center street is 8th Street, left and right is Hutchings Street (HWY 67)

Ballinger Texas – Between 1886 and 1900
Ballinger was established in 1886 by the Santa Fe Railroad

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Views From The Street

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Flood of 1905

1940’s

Parade in the 1960’s. Model Santa Fe Train.

Noyes Statue in the 1940’s

Parade in the 1940’s. WWII Era

Texas Theater in the 1930’s – 40’s

Ballinger In The 1930’s

8th Street about 1910

Street Scene in Cotton Season

Ballinger 1910

Ballinger 1886

Ballinger Entering The Turn Of The Century in early 1900s

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Business Photographs

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Compress – January 6. 1918

Santa Fe Depot in the Early Days

Runnels County Courthouse in Early 1900’s

Adoph Schawe Dry Goods and Groceries about 1888 – 1900 Today this is Alejandra’s Mexican Food Restaurant and still has the 1880 theme with the original stone walls and wood flooring.

Ballinger’s old City Hall, today it houses the Police Station, Fire Department, and Municipal Court. Photo 1950’s

Central Hotel (now gone)

G.A. Ladwig’s Dry Good Store in Early 1900’s.

Farmer & Merchants Bank which became Ballinger National Bank Now Four Star Title Co. 801 Hutchings Ave.

The First National Bank 1909

The First National Bank 1936

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Churches and Schools

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Nazarene Church on 9th Street

St. Mary’s Catholic Church

The First Christian Church which was originally the first Baptist Church in Ballinger.

This building was first the Elementary School then the building became the “Old Junior High”. In 1990 two students set fire to the building and it burned to the ground with nothing left that was salvageable. The building had been well maintained with much pride through the years and still had beautiful hardwood floors. The tragedy was devastating to past and present students as well as the community.

Young Musicians in front of a Future Farmers of America Banner

The First Christian Church which was originally the first Baptist Church in Ballinger.

Ballinger High School

The First National Bank 1909

The First National Bank 1936

Ballinger High School

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Landmark Homes

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Ward – Willinham Home: While it has been reported that “early day saloon man” Tom Ward, built this house in 1904. It was in fact built by Tom’s brother (name unknown) whom was president of one of the local banks at the time. The veranda columns are of “low relief” ornamentation, resembling terra cotta. The naturalistic stylized foliage interlaced with repeating motifs is reminiscent of the “Sullivanesque” style . Today, Jerry and Glenda Willingham reside within these historic walls at 309 8th. Street.

Giescke – Sykes Home: This classic “revival style” structure is located at 609 8th Street. Built in 1910 by rancher/banker Herman Giescke, this home has been well cared for b each of its owners. The home is currently owned by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Sykes.

Charles Willingham Home

Walker – Wilde Home: This home built by druggist/banker E.D. Walker in 1906, is located at 301 N. 13th Street. The upper transom windows originally held stained glass. The home has Ionic columns joined by a crisp looking balustrade, beautiful stone columns on each side of the entry steps, and long brackets over the second level roof overhang. The home is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Wilde.

Cox Home

Currie – Clark Home

Davenport Home

The Erwin Home is located on 7th Street, was built by M.J. Erwin in 1905. Cypress siding, which was hauled by train from Lausanne, was used on the exterior. The architect for the home was from Dallas. The home is now owned by the Hunter family.

Evans – Pollan Home

Hutton – Brook Home: This home is located at 600 8th Street, was built in 1909 by J.K. Hutton, and early day lumberyard owner. The entry has a fan light with oval transformer and an oval glass door. Extensive changes have been made in recent years. The home is now owned by Mrs. Doyle Brook.

The Charles Miller-Hays home located at 302 5th. Street was built by Charles Miller, a merchant, land broker/banker, in 1905 The stone structure is truly the largest stone home in Ballinger. Much of the stone used in the house was quarried by an immigrant stone mason and his wife, while digging the huge basement of the home. The Charles Miller Jr. family lived in the home for many years. The house was sold to Robert Lee in 1955. Hestwood Clayton, a rancher, bought the home in the 1960’5. Extensive changes were made on the interior.