Statesboro in Bulloch County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Three Story Brick Building

1 South Main Street

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 8, 2022

1. First Three Story Brick Building Marker

Inscription. In 1895, S. Waxelbaum & Son sold their business and this corner lot to Raif Simmons. In 1900, Mr. Simmons, contracted with A.J. Franklin to build this three-story business building. Mr. Simmons, and then his daughter, Lula Simmons Grimes, ran Statesboro Mercantile Company at this site until 1926. Then Jake Fine operated the Fine Company here for ten years before moving his store to Broughton Street in Savannah. From 1936 to 1986 the building housed H. Minkovitz and Sons Department Store. Hyman Minkovitz emigrated from Russia in 1905 and moved from NYC to Brooklet, Georgia. He had two sons, Ike and Sol. Ike ran this store and Sol ran a similar store in Sylvania. This store had a mezzanine and also an elevator with an attendant. The only Boy Scout and Girl Scout store in town was located here.

Supported by the Jack N. & Addie D. Averitt Foundation. 2019

Erected 2019 by Bulloch County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 32° 26.932′ N, 81° 47.013′ W. Marker is in Statesboro, Georgia, in Bulloch County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street and West

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Main Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 S Main St, Statesboro GA 30458, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Corner of Banking (a few steps from this marker); Statesboro Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Sea Island Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Brannen Buildings (within shouting distance of this marker); Bulloch County (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bulloch County Courthouse (about 300 feet away); The March to the Sea (about 300 feet away); Statesboro Buggy and Wagon Company (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Statesboro.

Additional commentary.
1. Family correction
Hyman Minkovitz (my great grandfather) had 6 children in total. Ike, Sol, Harry (my grandfather) and Emma all lived to adulthood and owned department stores. David died at the age of 6 and an unnamed infant that lived 4 days. Harry ran Minkovitz Department store in Sylvania, Ga. Emma also had a store that was called Masons (Minkovitz and sons) in Douglas Ga. Emma also won the title of Miss Georgia In 1939. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 8, 2022

2. First Three Story Brick Building Marker
— Submitted October 17, 2025, by Jessica Minkovitz of Savannah, Georgia.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,092 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.