Thomas B. Covell Dry Goods Store

1900

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Historic Landmark

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Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2023

1. Thomas B. Covell Dry Goods Store Marker

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From the National Register Nomination prepared by Kristin Schodorf, March 2005:
The Independence Downtown Historic District comprises primarily the core downtown of Independence, KS. These buildings consist mainly of Neo-Classical, Classical Revival, and Commercial styles. The town of Independence was incorporated on July 23, 1870.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 23, 2023

2. Thomas B. Covell Dry Goods Store

The marker is on the right side of the entrance.

There were several devastating fires in the early years and not many buildings survived past 1883. Because of these early fires the city passed an ordinance requiring construction to be stone or brick using fireproofing methods. Virtually all the buildings in the district are constructed of brick, concrete, or stone, or combination of same.

The oil and gas boom of the late 1800s and early 1900s provided for modern construction, such as using reinforced concrete and steel in buildings. As is typical of historic commercial structures, some downtown buildings have experienced alterations over the years. The overall historic character and appearance of the downtown district is still present. • • • 107-109 East Main Street:
From 1902 until 1912 this property was the Thomas B. Covell dry goods store. In January 1902 the building was shown as a one-story masonry structure and the double front was not divided by an interior partition. Instead the roof was supported on a row of iron columns. By May 1905 a second-story had been constructed on the front of this building. In 1918 the property was occupied by the Manson and Manson Company. C. M.

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and M. B. Manson sold dry goods, ready to wear, and shoes. In 1929 the property was listed as the K-W Bowling alley and Tea Room. In 1931 it was the Cyrus Wade Motor Company, a Buick agency. The building was vacant in 1937 and 1939.

This commercial building occupies two lots. It is a two-story, two-part commercial building with two recessed entrances flanking a central stair to second floor. The rear of the building is only one story. The upper level of the front facade is divided into six bays. The bays are divided by paired columns framing each window opening. A pressed metal cornice decorated with scrollwork, rosettes, and garlands ornaments the cornice. The windows in this facade have been filled or covered. The first floor storefront has been altered and the transom level has been covered with wood.