Friendswood in Galveston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Business

Hadley General Merchandise

— 1907 —

First Business Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, October 18, 2016

1. First Business Marker

Inscription. Friendswood's first business a small, general merchandise store, what opened on this site in 1907 by a Quaker from Lowell, Kansas, Cyrus J. Hadley. He and his wife, Elvira, made stables available to the community. Prior to Hadley's store, folks sent their grocery lists with the mail carrier to League City where he filled the orders and brought groceries back with the mail. This was part of the mail carrier's duties and was written into his contract with the postal service.

At Hadley's death in 1935, Manual and Florence Snow briefly before selling to Effie and son Jimmie Albritton in 1937. They were the local grocer until 1961. The first supermarket-style store at 211 S. FM 518 was opened in 1952 by another Quaker, James Baker. When it closed in 1982, it was the last of the independent grocers in Friendswood.

Erected 2012 by Friendswood Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 29° 31.748′ N, 95° 12.049′ W.

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Marker is in Friendswood, Texas, in Galveston County. It is at the intersection of South Friendswood Drive and West Willowick Avenue, on the right when traveling south on South Friendswood Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Friendswood TX 77546, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Friendswood Postal Service (within shouting distance of this marker); Cecil and Frances Brown House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Quaker Academy (about 400 feet away); Fig Preserving Plant (about 500 feet away); Oldest Structure Remaining (about 600 feet away); Friendswood (about 800 feet away); Friends Church Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles

Copied from the First Business Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown

2. Copied from the First Business Marker

away); First Home and First Family (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Friendswood.

Wide View of First Business Marker Taken From the Back image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, October 18, 2016

3. Wide View of First Business Marker Taken From the Back

Shows buildings across the street

Wide View of First Business Marker Taken From the Front image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, October 18, 2016

4. Wide View of First Business Marker Taken From the Front

Shows currently vacant lot and building slab.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2016, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,010 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 18, 2016, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.