Wills Point in Van Zandt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Bruce & Human Drug Company
Photographed By Jeff Leichsenring, November 27, 2023
1. Bruce & Human Drug Company Marker
Inscription.
Bruce and Human Drug Company. . German-born Oscar Pabst moved to Wills Point from Quitman, Texas in 1879, and he established an apothecary in town along the Dallas-Shreveport Road. After an 1888 fire damaged Pabst’s Store, he relocated it inside a grocery owned by his son-in-law, B.W. Bruce. Bruce sold the grocery and took over the apothecary and he joined with several investors, including J.H. Human, to form the Bruce and Human Drug Company in 1898. The men purchased a building in a prime downtown location, where it has served Wills Point citizens ever since. Additional tenants have included doctors’ offices, the city’s telephone exchange and a jewelry repair shop, and local election returns were posted at the building for many years.
German-born Oscar Pabst moved to Wills Point from Quitman, Texas in 1879, and he established an apothecary in town along the Dallas-Shreveport Road. After an 1888 fire damaged Pabst’s Store, he relocated it inside a grocery owned by his son-in-law, B.W. Bruce. Bruce sold the grocery and took over the apothecary and he joined with several investors, including J.H. Human, to form the Bruce and Human Drug Company in 1898. The men purchased a building in a prime downtown location, where it has served Wills Point citizens ever since. Additional tenants have included doctors’ offices, the city’s telephone exchange and a jewelry repair shop, and local election returns were posted at the building for many years.
Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16303.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.
Location. 32° 42.546′ N, 96° 0.526′ W. Marker is in Wills Point, Texas, in Van Zandt County. Marker is at the intersection of West James Street and North 5th Street, on the left when traveling west on West James Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 137 W James Street, Wills Point TX 75169, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wynne & Wynne Law Office (here, next to this marker);
Photographed By Jeff Leichsenring, November 27, 2023
2. Bruce & Human Drug Company Marker
Marker is on the left; Wynne & Wynne Law Office marker is on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 151 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
