Taylor's Department Store - 1905

After the big fire in Marion in 1905 the local businessmen didn't seem to let it discourage them. Many started rebuilding their places of business back as soon as they could. On the corner of Main Street and Bellville soon after the fire, a Dry Goods store was established by Mr. Gus Taylor on the bottom floor of the Masonic Temple. It was known as the Taylor Store. Let's follow through the years and see what other changes are in the future for this store.

From the files of The Crittenden Press.

December 8, 1905 –

In the beautiful and commodious store rooms of the Masonic temple, on the corner of Main and Bellville Streets Taylor & Cannan have occupied their new quarters. These are not only large and roomy, but excellently located.

The show windows are among the largest and prettiest in town and are now handsomely dressed, one displaying a line of shoes and the other a line of carpets, rugs, both Brussels and Ingrain. On each side as one entree are two long floor cases, one containing a rare line of purses and pocketbooks and men's ready-made shirts. The other shows all kinds of collars, turnovers, combs and handkerchiefs for ladies.

The right side from counter to ceiling is devoted entirely to the shoes department. The high shelving calls for roller ladders, which have been ordered and will be installed at once. The other side contains dress goods, ribbons and hosiery of every and all descriptions.

The entire ready-made department is on the second floor. Their line of men's and boys' clothing, hats and caps and ladies' wraps is full and complete. They also carry a large line of trunks and valises. Their entire stock in new, clean and up-to-date and of the very best quality. They are not fully equipped and organized and would appreciate the inspection of the public.

Jan. 4, 1924 –

With the ending of the old year, and the ushering in of the new year of 1924, a number of Marion's well-known business firms have undergone some changes in membership and style of firms.

The firm of Taylor and Taylor, Dry Goods, composed of Gus Taylor and Creed A. Taylor has undergone reorganization. Messrs. C. W. Lamb and J. D. Vaughn have purchased the interest of Mr. C. A. Taylor and the firm will continue business under the firm name of Taylor and Co. This business house was established about twenty-two years ago under the firm name of Gus Taylor.

A year later W. D. Cannan purchased a half interest and a thriving business was done by Taylor and Cannan for seventeen years when Mr. Cannan sold his interest to Mr. C. A. Taylor. After a business career of three years the firm again undergoes the changes above referred to.

The Press bespeaks for the new firm of Taylor and Co. the same prosperity as the old firm merited in the past.

Nov. 13, 1931

In the Masonic building, on the corner of Main and Belleville Streets, is located one of this county's best-known dry goods stores. All three members of the firm, Gus Taylor, C. W. Lamb and J. Doyle Vaughn are Masons. Mr. Taylor is a Kiwanian and Mr. Vaughn, a member of the American Legion. All three take an active part in community activities.

Mr. Taylor, the senior member of the firm has been in the dry goods business in Marion for the past thirty years and was in business by himself at the beginning. His store has always been located in the same block and since the construction of the present Masonic temple after the destructive fire of 1905, the Taylor store has occupied the same building.

For seventeen years Mr. Taylor had for his partner, W. D. Cannan. In 1918 after Mr. Cannan disposed of his interest, Creed A. Taylor, became a member of the firm and the business was operated as Taylor and Taylor.

In 1924 the present firm was organized. All three devote their full time to the business. Miss Louise Love is employed as clerk.

The store enjoys an unusually good patronage, not only in Marion, but also from people throughout the county. Years of fair dealing with the public have built up for the owners a large, list of satisfied customers. Well-known makes of standard merchandise are sold. The store prides itself on the high quality of material sold, and the steady growth of the store speaks well for the management.

Dry Goods, shoes, ladies ready-to-wear and men's furnishings are sold.

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From 1947 when the Hunt's bought this store until December 2004, we all knew Taylor and Cannan's Store as Hunt's Department Store. From Allison Evan's story in the February 10^th, 2005 Crittenden Press we learn of the Hunt's move to their new location. One more piece of Hunt's Department Store history, as a youngster growing up and buying shoes in the Hunt's Department Store, I remember the roller ladder they used to reach the boxes of shoes on the higher shelves. I asked the Hamilton's what ever happened to this ladder. They told me it took up so much space that they had it removed, and it found a new home at Louise Hamilton's, Uncle Homer Guess's farm, as a ladder to the hay loft.