Downtown Demolition

(Cameron) Demolition crews began tearing down a strip of vacant and delapidated downtown buildings today, creating a flurry of curious by-standers. Citizens National Bank purchased the property and has ordered the demolition to make way for a new lighted parking lot. The block long strip of buildings has been the home of many Cameron merchants through the years. KMIL talked with Kathleen Stewart, whom along with her husband Frank, operated Stewart's Grocery on the south end of the block, located directly behind Citizens National Bank. Mrs. Stewart said "a lot of history is being torn down today". The demolition began on the north end of the block (pictured above) where the old Bill Bonds Service Station was located. Brade's Photography was also located on the North side of the block as well as a tractor parts store.

The old "Brod" building (pictured above) is located on the south west corner of the block, and was constructed in 1924 by E. L. Brod. According to Brod's granddaughter, Diane Brock, the building was initially occupied by the W. T. Whatley Grocery Store. John Johnson, architect and builder of "Old Town Cameron" (a complete scaled down replica of early Cameron) said Whatley's parents ran the store, and Whatley returned from the Navy to take over the operations with his wife, a school teacher here in Cameron. The building later housed Eslinger Grocery, and has been vacant for many years.

(Above) The Brod building (left) that housed Whatley's Grocery, and (right) the former Stewart Grocery Store. (Below) John Johnson's replica of the block.

According to Mrs. Stewart, the family grocery store location included a basement, and even a water well. The business was relocated a block north in 1939 where the Stewarts rented space for $88 per month. After renting for 4 years, the Stewarts purchased the building in 1943, and own the property to this day.

Located directly behind Whatley Grocery, in the early 30's was a Dodge and Desota car dealership owned by John Sapp. Coleman Duncum worked for Sapp from 1936 until 1942 when he purchased the dealership and changed it to Plymouth and Desota. Duncum also purchased the building including the service station on the corner which he leased to Bill Bonds. The property was sold to Alan Dodson in the 1960's at which time, Dodson located his auto parts store in the service station building. Other businesses occupying the Duncum building through the years included a Laundry and an Air Conditioning Company.

Adjacent to the corner service station, was where B&B Studio (Above left) was located . Charles Brade relocated his business in the early 1940's to a location behind the old Ford Company (behind Main Printing). Adjacent to B&B Studio was an International Tractor Parts store.

Demolition of the old service station (above) uncovered an advertisement (below left) located on the north east wall of the station indicating that the row of buildings facing Travis, was added later.

An advertisement (below) was also uncovered when the Brod Building was demolished.

The wall apparently served as a billboard for downtown businesses, advertising Caskets, Wagons, Buggies, & Farm Implements.

The billboard was once an outside wall, but hasn't been seen since 1924, when the Brod Building was constructed.

In addition to Stewart's Grocery, the Building (above) has also housed Hornung Hatchery, and more recently, the Cameron Thrift Shop.

Citizens National Bank purchased the buildings from Hands for Christ of Texas, Inc., and Helena Tous and Mila Harris. Chairman of the board of Citizens National Bank, William C. Meacham, said today in a press release "these buildings were in terrible condition and we felt that they were a health and safety concern for the citizens of Cameron. Citizens National Bank of Milam County has spent a sizeable amount of money to purchase these old buildings and to tear them down. We feel that downtown Cameron will take on a new look when work is completed."