Denison in Grayson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Waples-Platter Grocery Company

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 11, 2024

1. Waples-Platter Grocery Company Marker

Inscription. The Waples-Platter Grocery Company was established in 1872, before the City of Denison. Founded as Hanna, Owens & Co. In 1871, the company supplied Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) railroad workers with provisions. The company moved to Main Street where a commercial district was quickly established. They set up a building in the 100 block of East Main Street in 1873 and became the first wholesale grocery company in the city. In 1885, E.B. Waples bought interest in the company and was named president of the firm. The same year, a large warehouse and headquarters was constructed by architect P. Lelardoux at 104 E. Main Street. It was a two-story building with cast iron pilasters in the façade, terra cotta lions head statues, keystones and segmented arch openings. The elegant building was meant to symbolize the company’s prominence in Denison and survived for 128 years until it was demolished in 2013.

In 1887, the company was renamed Waples-Platter & Company and their line of grocery products became known as the White Swan Line. The first branch house at Gainesville opened in 1890 and the Fort Worth branch opened in 1893. The

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Waples-Platter Canning Plant, known as Ranch Style, Inc., opened in 1913. Known as the greatest accomplishment of Waples-Platter, Ranch Style Beans was the company’s most famous and lasting product. Once the headquarters of the company moved, the Denison operation remained until 1959. The original headquarters building in Denison was sold to Griffin Wholesale Grocer Company in 1941 when Waples-Platter moved to the annex building at 110-112 S. Houston until 1959.

Erected 2014 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17878.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 33° 45.31′ N, 96° 32.089′ W. Marker is in Denison, Texas, in Grayson County. It is at the intersection of East Main Street and North Houston Avenue, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 E Main St, Denison TX 75021, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 11, 2024

2. Waples-Platter Grocery Company Marker

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: Signal Company Texas 36th Inf. Div. Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Katy Park Rededication (within shouting distance of this marker); Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); North-South Railway Connection (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The E. M. Kohl Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); XXI Club (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Patrick's Catholic Church (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Denison.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 11, 2024

3. Waples-Platter Grocery Company Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 878 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 16, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.