Our tour begins with a tinted postcard of the historic Shaw's Block at the northeast corner of Main and Huber. Construction began in 1868 and the building was dedicated December 29, 1871. Like many of the buildings on Main Street, it was built by Colonel William T. Shaw. (Three years seems a long time to erect a building, even in those days. Does anyone know the story of the construction of this building and why it took so long?)

Tenants have included: attorneys Stacy & Remley (1871); James A. Palmer, Insurance Agent; Shaw & Scoonover Bank; Chancey & Son; L. D. Gale; and Crispin and Hartman; The Town Crier; David Cleaners. The first floor often accommodated a grocery store: Matson & Higby; Matson & Shaw; Shaw and Dutton (at the time this photo was taken, pre-1909); Mills & Holtman; Jack & Jill (Jesse and Laura Conrad); Gordon's Grocery.

The county offices and court room occupied the west corner of the building from 1874 until the courthouse was built in 1937.

POSTMARKED:
Binghampton, NY, 26 or 28 May, 1909
MAILED TO: [space]
Miss G. M. Young, Castle Creek, N.Y.
MESSAGE: [space]
Dear Cousin-
I expect to go to C.C. next week Friday June 4th and come home the following Monday as I leave for Detroit Thursday June 10th. Would like to stay longer but Tess is anxious for me to get there. Was with Pl???a yesterday and most of today. She has eczema or something on her scalp. It seems much better today. Minnie is on the gain. Can do some work now. Will tell you the rest when see you. Guess we will have to talk fast.
Lovingly, Ella

POSTMARKED:
Anamosa, Iowa, 2 Jan 1909
MAILED TO: [space]
Miss Lulu Howie, Monticello, Iowa
MESSAGE: [space]
Dear Lulu,
How do you feel this morning? I am in Anamosa today. Come down to see my cousin at the Hospital. The P.O. pen is as bad as ever. Hope to see you Tue. night.
Good bye, Lena

The Grill Cafe was located in the middle of Shaw's block. It was owned by the Ireland family for 33 years and sold in December 1948 to Mr. & Mrs. Carl Northrup. The Town Crier and Davis Cleaners were also in this location.

The Shaw Block was demolished in 1967 and replaced with a new building that housed, first, a Ben Franklin Store and, eventually, a True Value hardware.
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