McAlester in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

J.J. McAlester Mercantile

Photographed by James Hulse, September 10, 2025

1. J.J. McAlester Mercantile Marker

Inscription. J.J. McAlester had a building on this site which was destroyed by fire on June 14, 1906. The current buildings were constructed in the 1920's.

All the buildings but one are single story units with no basements. The building on the North end is two stories and was built with a strongly reinforced second floor in order to serve as a warehouse.

The second floor was also built to accommodate an entire wagon load of supplies via an elevator that is made of wood and hand-drawn with a rope. Due to the gears and leverage mechanism in an elevator like this, an entire wagon loaded with goods can be lifted by one very strong man.

A wagon or short trailer would be backed into the elevator. The doors to the outside would be closed and the wagon would be raised to the second floor. In this way, it could be loaded or unloaded despite the weather, or time of day, with complete security.

The buildings' proximity to the railroad depot made it possible to have goods delivered by train, securely stored, and then loaded and delivered when the weather permitted.

Erected by Union Pacific.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is June 14, 1906.

Location. 34° 57.32′ N, 95° 45.688′ W. Marker is in McAlester, Oklahoma, in Pittsburg County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street (Business U.S. 69) and E Krebs Ave, on the left when traveling north on North Main Street. The marker is located at the corner of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2701 N Main St, McAlester OK 74501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Choctaw Nation.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

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

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1893 J.J. McAlester Mercantile (within shouting distance of this marker); MK&T Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Fire of 1906

The view of the J.J. McAlester Mercantile and Marker from across Krebs Ave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 10, 2025

2. The view of the J.J. McAlester Mercantile and Marker from across Krebs Ave

(within shouting distance of this marker); Old Town Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Masonic Lodge Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); J.J. McAlester Mansion (about 400 feet away); Tobucksy County Court House (about 600 feet away); Choctaw "Tobaksi" Village (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McAlester.

The view of the J.J. McAlester Mercantile Marker from across Main Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 10, 2025

3. The view of the J.J. McAlester Mercantile Marker from across Main Street

Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 14, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.