Plevna General Store facts for kids
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Plevna General Store
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Formerly listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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The Plevna General Store, circa 1977
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 Location in Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3rd and Main, Plevna, Kansas |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1913 |
| Architect | Caldwell, John |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002968 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 22, 1988 |
| Removed from NRHP | February 25, 2004 |
The Plevna General Store was a historic general merchandise store located at the corner of 3rd avenue and Main street in Plevna, Kansas, United States. It was built in 1913 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 22, 1988. The building was in continuous operation as a general store for 83 years until it was destroyed by a fire in 1997, and was removed from the National Register in 2004.
Contents
History
In 1897, brothers Emmett and Jeremiah Hinshaw purchased a general merchandise business in Plevna, Kansas. They named the business "Hinshaw and Hinshaw General Merchandising."
1910s-1920s
In September 1913, the Hinshaw brothers began construction of a new general store building, located at the corner of 3rd Ave and Main street in Plevna. The new "Hinshaw and Hinshaw General Store" opened for business the week of November 17, 1913.
In 1917, Emmett Hinshaw's son, N.H. "Jack" Hinshaw, purchased a one quarter interest of stock in the business from his father and uncle. A year later, in 1918, Jeremiah Hinshaw left the business.
1920s-1970s
Following Emmett Hinshaw’s death in 1928, his son Jack took ownership of the store. Jack operated the store for the next 47 years until selling the business in 1975.
1970s-1980s
Mr. & Mrs. Darrell Lee Holmes purchased the store from Hinshaw in 1975 and operated it until 1987. It was during this time that the name of the store was changed to the "Plevna General Store.”
1980s-1990s
In 1987, the Plevna General Store was purchased by Charles and Shirley Kern.The Kern family operated the store for 10 years. During that time, Charles Kern restored the store to its original 1913 condition. After restoration, the store was described as "one of the most architecturally elaborate examples of an early 20th century detached commercial building remaining in Kansas." The building featured the original pressed-tin 14-foot ceilings and preserved hardwood floors, along with the original scale, cash register, display cases, and arched windows. A root cellar was located under the building, and Kern still used a hand-operated cargo elevator to access it. Many of the relics which he found in the root cellar were displayed in the main store. These antique items included Peet Brothers Soap, B&R Root Beer Flavor, and Dr. Hess Stock Tonic. The store became a national and international attraction, receiving visitors from Queens, NY, Los Angeles, CA, Japan, England, New Zealand, and Germany.
Fire
At approximately 7:50pm on Friday, January 3, 1997, the building caught fire and was completely destroyed as a result. It took firefighters several hours to bring the conflagration under control. Although the exact origin of the blaze was never determined, an electrical fire was thought to be the cause. Owner Charles Kern told The Hutchinson News "When I arrived, the power line between the building and the pole was burning, and the building started burning on that side."
Historical Recognition
The Plevna General Store was added to the Register of Historic Kansas Places and National Register of Historic Places on December 22, 1988. It was removed from the register on February 25, 2004.
Images for kids
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An early 20th-century view of the store
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An exterior view of the store, c. 1977
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An interior view of the store, c. 1916
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The store as it existed in 1989. The pressed metal ceiling and semicircular window openings were original features of the store.
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