J. D. Hill General Store
One of the earliest buildings in Littleton was the J. D. Hill General Store. Julius D. Hill, known as J.D., was born in Massachusetts in 1843 and served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Hill came to Littleton in 1870 and was employed by the Rough and Ready Flour Mill. In 1872, he built Littleton's first general store and later served as the town's second postmaster.
The store carried hay, coal, shoes, groceries and dry goods. Fraternal organizations, churches and town government used the second floor meeting hall. The building also served as Town Hall after Littleton's incorporation until a building was constructed on Main Street.
Rapp and Main Streets were part of the original road from Denver to Santa Fe, making Hill's store a convenient stop for travelers. He attracted customers by providing free ice water on tap. In 1884, with I.S. Morse, Hill built the Littleton Creamery on Alamo Street, just around the corner from the general store.
The wood clapboard, two-story vernacular building has had many alterations over the years. After its use as a general store it was converted into two residences in 1902. The building was rehabilitated again in 1965, with the assistance of the Littleton Historical Society. In that rehabilitation the large first floor windows were added as well as the shutters on the facade. The porch
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
Location. 39° 36.787′ N, 105° 1.208′ W. Marker is in Littleton, Colorado, in Arapahoe County. Marker is at the intersection of South Rapp Street and West Littleton Boulevard, on the right when traveling south on South Rapp Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5728 South Rapp Street, Littleton CO 80120, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Weston Masonic Lodge (here, next to this marker); A Memorial to the Pioneers (within shouting distance of this marker); Littleton, Colorado Post Office (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Good, The Bad, and the Hungry (approx. ¼ mile away); Rough and Ready (approx. ¼ mile away); Public Transportation (approx. ¼ mile away); Denver & Rio Grande Depot (approx. ¼ mile away); Arapahoe County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Littleton.
Also see . . . J. D. Hill General Store. Littletown website entry:
Hill traveled to Littleton tempted by the reports of the great opportunities in the West. For a time he worked at the Rough and Ready Flour Mill before opening the store. Hill was also a partner and director of the First National Bank
Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 229 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 20, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
