Cameron in Milam County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Wied Hardware Store
Photographed By Larry D. Moore, June 1, 2020
1. Wied Hardware Store Marker
Inscription.
Wied Hardware Store. . Albert J. Matocha was born in Austria-Hungary in 1876 and immigrated to Texas with his family as a young boy; the family made their home in the nearby community of Burlington. As a young man, Matocha began working for the Law and Sprinkel Hardware firm, and he opened his own hardware store in 1898 in the area of Cameron known as "Dutchtown," in a building owned by Frank Mondrik. Matocha's store flourished, but suffered a harsh setback in 1920, when a fire severely damaged the hardware building. Determined to continue operations, Matocha procured a nearby dance hall, and used the structure to repair the remains of the burned building. Matocha continued to successfully operate the store until his death in 1945. , In 1946, Erwin Lee Wied purchased the business and inventory, while the building remained under the ownership of the Mondriks until 2002. Wied continued to provide the citizens of Cameron and the surrounding area with many of the tools and supplies necessary for the successful operation of a farm or household. Because of the store's long existence, it was well-known for its extensive inventory. Wied also managed a tin shop behind the hardware store, where Edward Reynolds created ornate tin work that can still be found throughout the area. After Wied's death in 1986, family members continued to operate the store until 1990, when the decision was made to close its doors. , This rectangular-plan commercial building features a false front with stepped parapet, horizontal wood siding, and tin covering the full-length porch and pair of parallel gable roofs. , Supplemental plaque: Edwin Reynolds, not Edward Reynolds, worked with Richard Ehler in the Wied store and tin shop. Richard Ehler and Julius Cabron were early employees.
Albert J. Matocha was born in Austria-Hungary in 1876 and immigrated to Texas with his family as a young boy; the family made their home in the nearby community of Burlington. As a young man, Matocha began working for the Law and Sprinkel Hardware firm, and he opened his own hardware store in 1898 in the area of Cameron known as "Dutchtown," in a building owned by Frank Mondrik. Matocha's store flourished, but suffered a harsh setback in 1920, when a fire severely damaged the hardware building. Determined to continue operations, Matocha procured a nearby dance hall, and used the structure to repair the remains of the burned building. Matocha continued to successfully operate the store until his death in 1945.
In 1946, Erwin Lee Wied purchased the business and inventory, while the building remained under the ownership of the Mondriks until 2002. Wied continued to provide the citizens of Cameron and the surrounding area with many of the tools and supplies necessary for the successful operation of a farm or household. Because of the store's long existence, it was well-known for its extensive inventory. Wied also managed a tin shop behind the hardware store, where Edward Reynolds created ornate tin work that can still be found throughout the area. After Wied's death in 1986, family members continued to operate the store until 1990,
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when the decision was made to close its doors.
This rectangular-plan commercial building features a false front with stepped parapet, horizontal wood siding, and tin covering the full-length porch and pair of parallel gable roofs.
Supplemental plaque: Edwin Reynolds, not Edward Reynolds, worked with Richard Ehler in the Wied store and tin shop. Richard Ehler and Julius Cabron were early employees.
Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16508.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 30° 50.869′ N, 96° 58.876′ W. Marker is in Cameron, Texas, in Milam County. Marker is at the intersection of West Batte Street and South College Avenue, on the right when traveling east on West Batte Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 413 W Batte St, Cameron TX 76520, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. This page has been viewed 220 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas.