Description

Taken on some special patriotic occasion, this photograph focuses on Farmers’ Supply—the oldest business still in operation in Floyd up until its closing in 2020. The historic building is located on Main Street, across from the court house.

The original building on the site was destroyed in the great fire of 1896. Horatio Howard had this impressive replacement constructed about 1897. He and his partner, Thomas B. Huff, ran a mercantile business until 1902 when Huff became sole owner. The left bay was added at that time. All the bricks for the building were hand formed of local clay and fired nearby. Upper floors housed residential apartments, and the side bay hosted a once-a-week butcher shop. Located at the site since the 1920s, Farmers’ Supply continues to be a landmark in town. The store became incorporated in 1931 and that date is embossed on the front of the building. A garage was added at the rear of the building for Ford automobile sales, and gas pumps fronted on Main Street. Some residents, no age limit, earned their newly required driving licenses with a spin around the rear lot. Unique to the building are the pressed glass tiles in the transom windows and the early painted advertising on the west exterior wall.

This photograph is from the Marguerite Tise Collection and was probably taken by her father.