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. 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. It is at the intersection of West James Street and North 5th Street, on the left when traveling west on West James Street.

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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.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

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 walking distance of this marker: Wynne & Wynne Law Office (here, next to this marker); Rose Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Brick Streets of Wills Point (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Baptist Church (about 400 feet away); First Christian Church of Wills Point (about 600 feet away); First National Bank of Wills Point (about 600 feet away); Russell Memorial United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); McKain Family Home (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wills Point.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, November 27, 2023

2. Bruce & Human Drug Company Marker

The marker is on the left with the Wynne & Wynne Law Office Marker on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 661 times since then and 50 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.