Baxter Springs in Cherokee County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Polster Dry Goods Store
Baxter Springs Historic Walking Tour
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 28, 2010
1. Polster Dry Goods Store Marker
In May of 1893, the Polster Brothers, Charles, John and Ed, and their mother, Elizabeth Polster, had a grand opening for their new dry goods store. The public was entertained with music by an Italian harpist, and the building was lavishly decorated with plants and paintings. Their move to this location was prompted by a devastating fire that had destroyed the Polster Hotel, Dry Goods Store, and Drug Store one block north. All the businesses had been established by the father of the Polster Brothers, John Polster, who had come to Baxter Springs in 1867.
Several devastating fires promoted many business people to replace frame buildings with brick construction in the decades at the end of the century. For a period of about seven years, the Baxter Springs Post Office was located in the north part of the building. The Polsters closed the business in 1939.
Erected by Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1893.
Location. 37° 1.519′ N, 94° 44.122′ W. Marker is in Baxter Springs, Kansas, in Cherokee County. Marker is on Military Avenue (U.S. 69) near 10th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Drovers' and Farmers' Bank (a few steps from this marker); Ohlen's Restaurant and Bakery (a few steps from this marker); Murder of C. M. Taylor (within shouting distance of this marker); Chicago Drug Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Bischosberger Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Opperman Harness and Saddle Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Illinois Cash Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Phillips 66 Petroleum Company Gas Station (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baxter Springs.
Also see . . . Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum. Museum website entry (Submitted on November 2, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 28, 2010
2. Polster Dry Goods Store Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 28, 2010
3. Polster Dry Goods Store Tile Entrance
Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 929 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
