Inverness in Citrus County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Dampier Building
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 6, 2018
1. The Dampier Building Marker
This building was built by Francis Marion Dampier, Jr. as Dampier Department Store. The family operated the successful department store from 1945 to 1967. It is remembered that "Frank" Dampier spent many hours sitting on a wooden bench under an oak tree outside the store, visiting with acquaintances. The Dampier family were prominent business leaders in Inverness. Western Union was run from “Dampier’s” for a period of time. Francis Dampier, Sr., a pioneer of Inverness, ran a general store at Tompkinsville before there was an Inverness. He was related by marriage to the Tompkinsville namesake, Alf Tompkins. Francis Dampier's brother, Earl, ran a grocery store before the Depression. Earl G. Dampier was the co-owner of the Evergreen Hotel located on Main Street across from the Bank of Inverness. F.M. Dampier was the Postmaster, had a sawmill and was a partner in a general merchandise store. After the Dampier Department Store closed, the building housed the Western Auto Store, a carpet store, the Goodwill Store, and Carolina Direct Furniture, and at the time of the plaque dedication, Towne & Country All Wood Furniture Store.
this page online
Erected 2003 by The City of Inverness, Florida.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 28° 50.177′ N, 82° 19.839′ W. Marker is in Inverness, Florida, in Citrus County. Marker is on Courthouse Square north of Old Main Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is a large bronze-like plaque, mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, just left of the main entrance. The marker and subject building are directly across Courthouse Square from the Old Citrus County Courthouse building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 Courthouse Square, Inverness FL 34450, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 109 Courthouse Square (a few steps from this marker); Military Order of the Purple Heart (within shouting distance of this marker); Korean War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Korea and Viet Nam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Persian Gulf War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Citrus County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Female Veterans Monument (within shouting distance
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 6, 2018
2. The Dampier Building Marker (wide view; marker visible just left of entrance)
Also see . . . Dampier Building. City of Inverness, Florida, official dedication web page for this marker. (Submitted on May 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2018. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 238 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 7, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
