City Directories and History: This building is perhaps the oldest standing building in the business section of downtown Blacksburg. Built in the late 1880’s, the store was first used by D.L. Brown, a merchant from Cowpens. Brown would operate a department store until his death in 1900 at the young age of forty-three. After Brown’s death, the store was purchased by a Mr. Bridges who would operate the store for a couple of years. Interestingly enough, the building was the first location of the Iron City Pharmacy, which would later move across the street in the early 1930’s. When the pharmacy moved, the building was used by G.L. Goode, a popular merchant in Blacksburg. In the late 1940’s, the building was used by Emery’s Department Store. In the mid 1950’s, the store was purchased by Curtis Bechtler who would operate a clothing store for over fifteen years. This building, along with the four to its left, were the only ones to survive the great fire of 1912 which destroyed most of the town of Blacksburg, S.C.
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on June 25, 1890 – “Work on the new hotel is progressing nicely. It fronts Peachtree Street and is on a high shady spot with fine views.” (Un ID location and name.)
The Yorkville Enquirer of March 4, 1891 reported – “The Iron City Hotel on Shelby Street is having a new front installed of galvanized iron.”
The YV Enquirer reported on Feb. 3, 1892 – “Ellis, Roark and Co., a new firm for general merchandise, has opened in one of the Iron City Hotel’s store rooms.”
The Enquirer reported on July 27, 1892 – Paper describes hotels in Blacksburg; “there are now four hotels: the Cherokee Inn with a reputation for elegance and comfort, the Iron City Hotel, the Merchants Hotel, and the Airline Hotel. These are not as large or grand as the Cherokee Hotel.”
The YV Enquirer of Jan. 11. 1893 reported – “Mr. William A. Whisonant has sold his interest in his firm to D.L. Brown and Company and it will operate at the same stand under the management of Mr. Albert Whisonant.” Also on the same date the paper reported – “The Blacksburg Printing Co., has been reorganized and the following were elected as directors: D.L. Brown, J.D. Kennedy, W.B. DeLoach, Dr. J.T. Darwin and M.M. Freeman.”
The YV Enquirer reported on Jan. 11, 1893 – “Dr. J.T. Darwin has moved his drug store two doors down to the store room of the Iron City Hotel.”
The Yorkville Enquirer reported on Feb. 8, 1893 – “Mr. O. W. Sadler, who has charge of the Iron City Hotel, has returned to his farm near Blairsville. Mr. R. P. Dempsy has moved into the hotel and will manage it.”
The Yorkville Enquirer, quoting from the Blacksburg News, reported on April 23, 1898 that Mr. D.L. Brown has sold his entire stock of goods in the store room under the Iron City Hotel to Mr. E.L. Littlejohn and has bought the interest of Mr. J.W. Duff in the firm of D.L. Brown and Company at the corner of Shelby and Cherokee Streets. Mr. Duff will retire for the presence from the mercantile business.
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