Greencastle in Putnam County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Prevo 1900 - 1992

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

1. Prevo 1900 - 1992 Marker

Inscription. Prevos as we knew it started as the Model Store in 1900 as a men’s haberdashery located at 12 E. Washington St., Greencastle, Ind. Owned by Samuel C. Prevo. From his second marriage to Emily Hogue from Clark County Illinois they had three sons, Edgar, Henry and Gordon. In 1909 Samuel built the Prevo Building, a three floor department store at 16-18 S. Indiana St. First the new location was known as The Model Clothing and Dry goods Store, later the name was changed to S.C. Prevo and Sons with each son assigned to manage a floor. Samuel died in 1925, Henry died in 1936, and since Gordon had lost interest in the business, Edgar was left with the sole responsibility of the store operation. With much foresight for retailing, in 1938 Edgar leased from J. P. Allen the storeroom at 4-8 E. Washington St. That had been Ernest Browning Hardware. In turn he leased the Indiana St. Location to Montgomery Ward and Co. The Hardware was three steps up from the sidewalk. Mr. Edgar (as he was affectionately known by all employees) lowered the floor to street level and opened an exclusive “Ladies Ready to Wear Store”, Prevos, catering

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

to Ladies and Children. As an afterthought, on the balcony, he maintained a piece goods department, a carry over from the “old store” in a period when ladies made their own dresses or had dressmakers select fabric from a “bolt” of goods.

In June of 1944, as written in his ledger, he hired a “promising young man,” Robert (Bob) Matthews who later became the sole proprietor.

In 1948 Edgar leased the adjoining 2 E. Washington St. Location (formerly a Kroger Grocery Store). This addition expanded the ready to wear and sportswear Dept. Fifteen weeks later after extensive remodeling Prevos had a “Grand Opening” on Jan. 20, 1949. Prevos served Putnam Co. And surrounding area as the leading Ladies Store in this location at 2-8 E. Washington St. Until 1984 when it was sold to a partnership. Prevos became history when the last owner closed the business with an Auction Sale in June of 1992, joining the demise of many small town merchants of the late 20th century.

Many will remember loyal and longtime sales clerks: Ella McBride, Edith Frank, Pearl Pickend, Ozella Wren, Nell Williamson, Bess

"Heritage Wall" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

2. "Heritage Wall"

Vancleave, Elizabeth McCullough, Ruby McCullough, Esta Byrd and Margaret Nelson. Many other loyal sales clerks and less tenure who clerked at Prevo’s are too numerous to mention.

Edgar A. Prevo will be known as a philanthropist to Greencastle and DePauw University lastly leaving at his death on August 28, 1975 a Trust of $681,000.00 to DePauw University to be used for SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUTH OF PUTNAM COUNTY to attend DePauw University.

Note: Additional information about the Prevos Store is available at the Putnam Co. Museum.

Erected by Heritage Preservation Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1944.

Location. 39° 38.636′ N, 86° 51.813′ W. Marker is in Greencastle, Indiana, in Putnam County. It is at the intersection of South Vine Street and East Washington Street (U.S. 231), on the right when traveling south on South Vine Street. Located on "Heritage Wall" in the bottom row - - second from the right end. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Greencastle IN 46135, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Full View - - "Heritage Wall" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

3. Full View - - "Heritage Wall"

this marker is in Central Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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 Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Ancient Peoples Who Once Walked Here (here, next to this marker); Handy's Dairy 1916 - -2002 (here, next to this marker); Women in Greencastle History (here, next to this marker); Eitel's Flowers (here, next to this marker); Abraham Lincoln's Biography (here, next to this marker); Cannon's Men's Wear 1891 -- 1985 (here, next to this marker); Eli Lilly & The Civil War (1861–1865 ) (here, next to this marker); The Founding of Greencastle, Indiana (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greencastle.

Other View - - "Heritage Wall" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, June 10, 2012

4. Other View - - "Heritage Wall"

Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,602 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 15, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.