Early Businesses

Businesses and professional people were attracted to the area. Lawrence Hollenbeck opened the first general store in 1854 on the southwest corner of main and Washington streets. John Milner and a Mr. Nicholas followed Mr. Hollenbeck’s example and they too opened stores. These latter two were open for only a short time. Jesse Grubbs obtained an abstract for his hotel, the Washington House, in 1854. He later changed the name to the central house. There were four rooms, two upstairs and two downstairs. Since the village had no noon whistle, the owner of the hotel would stand on the corner every noon and ring a hand held school bell to announce lunch.

The first business house in Center Point built in1852. Located on east side of Main Street between Washington and State streets. Original owner unknown, but in 1877 when this picture was taken, P. Kewley had a clothing store here. In the rear of the picture on the left you can see the spires of the Congregational Church at the NW corner of Franklin and Washington streets. Above the “S” in Groceries, you can see the Rock Island Depot.

After the town was surveyed, George Mitchell opened a second hotel in a house that was built by Mr. Whitney. The hotel was known as Montour House and was located on east side of Main Street south of the post office between Washington and State streets. Dr. J. F. Wilson arrived in 1855 with his two sons. He opened the first drug store. Cabin and Benham came shortly afterward and opened the first general store, complete with potbelly stove and cracker barrel.

Center Point had its first taste of scandal in 1855. Mr. Brain came to the village and solicited $2,000 from local residents to establish a flourmill. After the erection of the building was complete, he borrowed additional money to purchase machinery for the mill. Apparently, the venture lost its appeal. Mr. Brain left the scene abruptly, leaving behind a stack of unpaid bills, not the least of which was the $2,000 borrowed from the people. The mill burned in 1864 in what was one of Center Point’s first big fires.

Additional stores continued to spring up in the village. John Carr established a general store in 1855 between State and Olive streets. Nathan Johnson succeeded him in his business venture. W. I. Langsdale settled in the county in 1849 and in the village in 1856, where he operated a general merchandise business. In 1857, William Nevin and H. D. Metcalfe opened a general store. Philip Kewley established a business about 1861 and then sold it in 1877 to the Wayne Brothers.

For many years an old flour and carding mill stood in the southeast part of town. The mill was not profitable and was relocated to Jesup by Joseph Ketchledge and Co. in 1870. The Diamond Mills, operated both by steam and water, was another mill in the area.

Mr. Manahan built the first brick building on the corner of State and Main streets in 1858. The building was used as a wagon shop and blacksmith shop. Later the building was used to sell farm implements. A. Manahan constructed another business building that was made of brick in the same year. The building was a one-story structure that was used as the first post office. Samuel Brice was Center Point’s first postmaster.

As the village grew, residents began to demand services. W. L. Bliss was the first professional carpenter to settle in the village in 1855. He later became a very efficient cabinetmaker, a trade he practiced for 15 years.

In the 1870s, A. Kubias started the first harness shop. L. C. Wilson was the first jeweler, opening his business about 1880. Mr. Sniffen was one of the first lawyers. Loren Oliphant was the first dentist. He also farmed to make ends meet.

Excerpt from: Center Point - Celebrating 150 Years (2004)