Nederland in Jefferson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Mercantile Building

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, April 5, 2021

1. First Mercantile Building Marker

Inscription.
Site of
First Mercantile Building

As agent for the Port Arthur Land Company, Dutch immigrant G. W. Kilsdonk, Jr., worked to encourage people from his native Holland to settle in this area in the late 1890s. He built a number of businesses to serve the developing community, including a two-story mercantile store at this site. In addition to its function as a supply center, the Mercantile building also served as a community gathering place and meeting hall for many organizations, businesses, churches, and social groups. The original Mercantile building was destroyed by fire n 1909.

Erected 1991 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10520.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 29° 58.559′ N, 93° 59.472′ W. Marker is in Nederland, Texas, in Jefferson County. It is on Boston Avenue near North 12th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nederland TX 77627, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker

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is in Texas’ Golden Triangle.

It is also in the American South,

on the Gulf Coast,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: City of Nederland (approx. ¼ mile away); W.M. "Tex" Ritter (approx. ¼ mile away); Interurban Rail Service (approx. ¼ mile away); First Baptist Church of Nederland (approx. half a mile away); First Baptist Church of Port Neches (approx. 1.4 miles away); St. Elizabeth Catholic Community (approx. 1.9 miles away); First United Methodist Church Of Port Neches (approx. 2 miles away); Southeast Texas Regional Airport (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nederland.

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, April 5, 2021

2. First Mercantile Building Marker

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, January 16, 2026

3. First Mercantile Building Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2021, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 371 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 11, 2021, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. 3. submitted on January 20, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.