110 - 112 East College Avenue, Coleman, Texas

On the Coleman map of 1888, a vacant lot is shown at what would become 110 - 112 East College Avenue.

south side - 1893 map	south side - 1898 map	south side - 1904 map
south side - 1909 map	south side - 1916 map	south side - 1923 map
Sometime before 1893, a single story dwelling was built at what would be 110 - 112 East College Avenue. This dwelling remained pretty much the same, with a few minor changes on porches and outbuildings, until it was replaced before 1930 with a large commercial brick building. In 1909 a small building was built on the northeast corner of this lot and is shown as a "Photo" business. It is believed to be the photography studio of Fidel Eggel, who died in 1905. This could have also been the location of the first photography studio of Jess Moore, who moved to Coleman from Rockwood. In 1916, this building is shown as a dwelling.

"In 1929, Mead Furniture Company was located at 110 - 112 East College Avenue. It was owned by James W. Mead. James Lawrence (colored) worked at Mead Furniture Company as a helper, with no residence address given." (Coleman City Directory, 1929 - Hudspeth.)

(HISTORIAN'S NOTE: It is said that James W. Mead built the brick commercial building at 110 - 112 East College Avenue and he was located here at this time in 1929. However, in 1936 his business is shown as being located at 115 West Street. Did he build the brick building before 1929 and move out before 1936?)

south side - 1930 map

south side - 1948 map

Baptist Men Demolishing Building

    The downtown scene is about to change. Soon the large building just east of the Housing Authority High Rise will be gone. It is being demolished at this time by men from First Baptist Church, with Donald Baird supervising the project. Work started there Monday morning.

    John Holtz, Coleman Housing Authority manager, explains that the space will be used for a parking lot for High Rise residents when demolition is complete. The building was erected in Coleman in the early 1930's by J.W. Mead. Later it was acquired by Walter Gordon and used for years for a furniture and hardware store. A bowling alley once operated there, then the property was acquired by Coca-Cola and recently purchased by the Coleman Housing Authority.

    Material from the building is begin moved to the First Baptist Chruch property on the north side of College Avenue, with plans to use it in construction of a proposed Family Center and Activity Building.

    Thirty-five men and young people were at work Monday, Labor Day, and 25 women were present to serve them lunch. The group worked from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with much enthusiasm being shown. Smaller groups will continue each day with the demolition, some working in the late afternoons after they get off work from regular jobs.

(Chronicle and Democrat-Voice, Coleman, Texas, September 8, 1988.)