Center Point Mercantile

Date unknown.  Kerr County Historical Commission Collection.

The Center Point Mercantile on San Antonio Street was created in 1902 when  J. W. Nelson,  James L. McElroy, and C. W. Howland combined their businesses. The Kerrville Mountain Sun of February 22, 1902 reported the organization of the business this way:  "The Centre Point Mercantile and Milling Company have elected officers as follows:  A. Reese, president; W. H. Witt, vice-president; J. W. Nelson, general manager; J. L. McElroy, secretary-treasurer.  They have capitalized at $60,000, and applied for a charter.  That will combine two principal business houses here, and the flour mill under one management.  Also the two lumber yards.
Surely, this is the age of combinations, for here comes the Centre Point co-operative and mercantile association who have got their charter, and capitalized at $10,000.  The co-operative company is composed of about 70 farmers and prominent men of the neighborhood.  Both companies expect to open up on March 1st."

Located on the corner of Kelly and San Antonio Streets, the store offered groceries, dry goods, ladies ready-to-wear, shoes, school supplies, feed, lumber, farm equipment, and hardware.  It prospered for many years before going bankrupt in April 1928. A. C. Schwethelm of Comfort purchased the real estate, and in October 1928, W. J. Work moved his dry good and groceries to the Center Point Mercantile, the first of several subsequent retailers in this building.