THE AMICABLE BUILDING

The Amicable Building at N. 5th and Austin Avenue was built for the American Amicable Life Insurance Company by Sanguinet and Staats. Construction began in August, 1910 and it was officially opened in August 1911. It is 282 feet tall and contains 22 floors plus a basement and an observation tower. There is a 23rd floor, but there is no 13th floor. Until 1929, it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River and south of the Mason-Dixie Line. The “ALICO” sign atop the building was installed in 1958, with the final “O” being installed on October 10, 1958.

  • Labor Day Parade on Austin Avenue
    1915
  • Amicable Building Construction
    August 15, 1910.
    The Dennis Building across the street.
  • Amicable Building Construction
    December 19, 1910
  • Amicable Building Construction
    February 14, 1911
  • Amicable Life Insurance Building
    Competed in 1911.
  • “Gildy” rides a girder, 1910
  • Amicable Building, 1910
  • Street Cars lining up for the
    Cotton Palace, 1910
  • Aeroplane circling the
    Amicable Building, 1911
  • Amicable Life Ashtray
  • The last “O” of the ALICO sign
    was installed on October 10, 1958.
  • Chimes rang out over Waco from the
    ALICO Building, 1958.
  • LIFE Magazine photo looking north from S. 5th and Franklin.
  • Early Brochure