Centerville in Hickman County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Elias Jewelry Building
Historic Downtown Centerville
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, January 4, 2025
1. Elias Jewelry Building marker
Inscription.
Elias Jewelry Building. . When this building was erected prior to 1900, it had a high Victorian Gothic front. The first record of an occupant was Stanfill Grocery and Feed Store. Cumberland Telephone Company was on the second floor. The decorative faηade of the building was removed in 1930, leaving a plain brick front. In 1935, Thomas 5 and 10 was established there and remained until 1966, when Bogle and Shepard bought the business. The first radio station in the county, WHLP, was established on the second floor in 1955, eventually moving to Highway 50 in 1963. In 1967, Joe and Margie Breece bought the building and ran Breece's 5 and 10 there until 2003. The first Dollar Store in town began in the basement of the building. Apartments were added to the second story and the ground floor became Elias Jewelry in 2004.
When this building was erected prior to 1900, it had a high Victorian Gothic front. The first record of an occupant was Stanfill Grocery and Feed Store. Cumberland Telephone Company was on the second floor. The decorative faηade of the building was removed in 1930, leaving a plain brick front. In 1935, Thomas 5 & 10 was established there and remained until 1966, when Bogle and Shepard bought the business. The first radio station in the county, WHLP, was established on the second floor in 1955, eventually moving to Highway 50 in 1963. In 1967, Joe and Margie Breece bought the building and ran Breece's 5 & 10 there until 2003. The first Dollar Store in town began in the basement of the building. Apartments were added to the second story and the ground floor became Elias Jewelry in 2004.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 35° 46.742′ N, 87° 28.001′ W. Marker is in Centerville, Tennessee, in Hickman County. It is on North Public Square, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 307 N Public Square, Centerville TN 37033, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee and in the Highland Rim. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in 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 Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Thompson's Dry Goods Building (here, next to this marker); Arnold Building (a few steps from
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, January 4, 2025
2. Elias Jewelry Building marker (marker is mounted on wall to the left of white car)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 137 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
