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ALICO
Building
basement. October 1910
Photo
Courtesy Texas Collection, Baylor University |
- ALICO stands
for the Amicable Life Insurance Company
- Groundbreaking
for the twenty-two building occurred in August of 1910. Completion
was October of 1911.
- The building
was once the tallest in Texas and the tallest west of the Mississippi.
- Construction
was documented by Waco photographer
Fred Gildersleeve and the photo collection is now part of the
Texas Collection at Baylor University
- The building
had its own electric generators and a water source from artesian
springs.
- Building
engineers piped this spring water to a restaurant across the street
from the building (Chris's Restaurant) - without disrupting traffic
(and without a permit).
- Waco's
Old Corner Drugstore moved from its former location of Austin
and 4th to the building in 1912
- Biplanes
from Rich Field circled the building for its opening. The building
has since provided its own aerial views of the city and the Brazos
River.
- People working
inside the building witnessed the destruction of downtown Waco
during the tornado of May 11, 1953. The ALICO Building swayed,
but received hardly any damage.
- There is
currently no observation room, platform or lounge available to
the public.
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ALICO
Building under construction. Arrow points to famed Waco photographer
Gildersleeve
Photo
Courtesy Texas Collection, Baylor University |
The
building under construction in 1910 -
looking north from 5th Street
Note Dr Pepper sign to the left. Sign was photographed from rear.
Photo
Courtesy Texas Collection, Baylor University |
An
awestruck young man in a newspaper publicity photo circa 1955
Photo
Courtesy Texas Collection, Baylor University |
ALICO
Building
has kept visitors and native Wacoans in awe for nearly 100 years.
Photo
Courtesy Texas Collection, Baylor University |
Photo
of ALICO
Building
with courthouse dome in background
Photo
Courtesy Texas Collection, Baylor University |
Old
postcard of ALICO Building
Postcard
courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
A current view
of the building from Waco's City Hall
TE Photo,
May 2003 |
"Amicable
Life Insurance Building, the highest and most beautiful building in
the South.
Waco, Texas"
Postcard
courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
©
John Troesser
Sources:
A Pictoral History of Waco by Roger Conger, Texian Press, 1998
The Texas Collection, Baylor University
The Handbook of Texas |
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