May 2016.
After an in-depth tour of the building, we started researching the history, and what it would take to renovate and bring the building up to modern codes.
The Layland Museum, Johnson County Courthouse Museum, and the Johnson County Real Property Records were invaluable to find the history of the building.
http://www.visitcleburne.com/business/jc-courthouse-museum
https://i2tx.uslandrecords.com/TX/Johnson/D/Default.aspx
Here is what we found:
The building was constructed in 1881 by Harvey S. Wilson as a dry goods store. They sold agricultural tools and provided service and maintenance for horse drawn carriages. In the early 1920’s the building housed a candy store and a department store. By the late 20’s or early 30’s there had been an auto supply, transistor radio parts store, and the Oakland Motor Car showroom (the cars were on the second floor!).
Many other businesses operated in the building, Sears Catalog, Allstate Insurance, Joe’s Appliance Shop, the Quick Print Shop, and in 1997, the Comic Boxx. By 2013 the building was being used as a warehouse and workshop for Owen’s Home Furnishings. In 2017, the building was purchased to be renovated. The top floor will be residential, an open concept loft, and the bottom floor will be rented out as retail space.
No Comments