606 N Second Avenue

The most obvious question to ask about an old building is when it was constructed. Most of the time, the answer is pretty straightforward. In this case, it’s easier to inquire about a particular wall…or section of a wall. I usually start with the County website to get an idea and then move on to the Kansas Historical Society to narrow it down. Unfortunately, neither source has really nailed the details with regard to this particular structure.

The Ford County website says the Duckwall’s two-story building was constructed in 1929 with an open mezzanine and a storage shed out back was built in 1945. I mean, *something* could have been built in 1929 but it wasn’t the structure you see along Second Avenue.

KHS gets closer:

1915

Estimated

1936 and later alterations.

The commercial development of this block had begun by 1887, when a row of one-story commercial buildings lined 2nd Avenue. Between 1911 and 1918, new buildings were constructed here. This building, known as the Sitler buildings, was remodeled in 1916 for the Duckwall store, which opened here in 1916.

In November of 1885, Henry L Sitler began construction on a brick building at what was then technically 813-815 Second Avenue but colloquially known as Bridge Street. The timing was fortuitous for the proprietors of the Bee Hive, whose store burned down in early December.

The storefront north of the Bee Hive’s temporary quarters at 814 Second Avenue was home to I. C. Carroll’s grocery.

Carroll’s grocery was replaced by The Missouri Grocery of Brigham and Tompkins in June of 1887. The 1887 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map shows a dime store had moved into the south storefront and the north end was occupied by a drugstore. You’ll notice the east end of this building didn’t yet extend into Lot 15.

By 1892, a dressmaker occupied the south storefront and the two spots to the north were both vacant. Mrs. Singerland opened a millinery store at 813 Second Avenue in March of 1897 and a broom factory opened one door north in May of 1898. The millinery store was replaced by a bicycle repair shop by 1899.

The 1905 Sanborn shows furniture and storage on the north end, a general clothing store at 814 Second Avenue, and the bicycle repair shop next door at 813. I’m harping on these maps because the building still hadn’t been extended eastward at this time.

The block was renumbered around 1909 and by then, what had become 608 Second Avenue housed Misner and Groody (electricians and plumbers.) That company gave way to Gibson Plumbing Company, followed by Dodge City Plumbing Company.

Julian’s Klose House, operated by Julian Hulpieu, was located at 610 Second Avenue.

The north end of the building at 612 Second Avenue was occupied by the Dodge City Kansas Journal printing office.

The 1911 Sanborn shows both the old and new street numbers. You will notice the building still didn’t cover Lot 15. The Tea and Coffee Store had replaced Julian’s Klose House.

The Tea and Coffee Store was replaced by the Excelsior dealership of Hiram T Burr and Carl J Turner. That dealership became Dodge City Motorcycle Company.

C. H. Archer bought the Excelsior dealership in March of 1914. By April, the building was reported to be unsafe…at least the west wall of the south storefront. It was another year before the City ordered the west wall of building to be reinforced.

In 1915, Dodge City Motorcycle Company was operated by Roy Black and Red Alexander.

At some point, the north room was separated into a different parcel…possibly around 1911 when the awning only covered the two southern storerooms. And while the old printing office was rebuilt, the Journal reported the Sitler Building was simply enlarged and upgraded with a new front.

The expansion was needed because the Duckwall Brothers were coming to Dodge.

Julian Parham’s company was hired to oversee the remodeling project, which would combine the two remaining storerooms into one space. The rear wall was also extended eastward into the aforementioned Lot 15.

In November of 1916, Duckwall signed a deal to buy out the stock at George Nason’s variety store effective January 1, 1917. Unfortunately, more work was required in the building. In December of 1916, Harper Sitler (Henry’s son) and Will Imel had to rebuild the wall between their two buildings because the City Engineer deemed it unsafe. The A. L. Duckwall 5 and 10¢ Store finally opened in February of 1917.

The 1918 Sanborn shows the variety store at 606-608 Second Avenue. The street numbers on this block are so frustrating because they changed when the buildings were remodeled. Or possibly when the wind shifted. Or someone made a typo. The way the store’s name appeared in advertising and directory listings changed several times as well.

The 1932 Sanborn shows a lot of new construction near the rear of the building.

According to the Kansas Historical Society, Duckwall’s bought 31 feet to the east to expand the store in 1936. The storefront and interior were remodeled at the same time.

This photo was taken during the 1950 Boot Hill Fiesta Parade.

This later photo taken from First National Bank in the 1960s shows the two-story addition at the back of the building.

The store was still advertised as Duckwall’s in the 1964 yearbook for St. Mary of the Plains College.

That changed to Alco in 1966.

And here’s the dreaded metal slipcover. So modern! Such progress!

Anyway, Alco moved to their new store on the bypass in 1970 and Dodge City Office Equipment took their old spot in the Sitler Building.

This is how I remember the store.

I had completely forgotten they sold Apple products. My parents never would have allowed such an extravagant purchase.

Heavy snowfall in November of 1992 caused part of the roof to collapse.

The store reopened using the Reeves Building at 210 Gunsmoke Street as an entrance. The two buildings were connected via a door at the east end.

Dodge City Office Equipment’s last annual report was filed in March of 1993. Century Office Products of Dodge City bought the DCOE copier division in 1994.

A bankruptcy sale was conducted around the same time.

The Sitler and Reeves buildings went up for sale in June of 1995.

To the best of my knowledge, a commercial business hasn’t operated in this building since Dodge City Office Equipment. It is my understanding that the owner uses it for storage.

Here’s how the Sitler Building looks today:

What parts of the original structure remain? I have no idea. We know the west wall was rebuilt but we don’t know if any materials were reused. The old printing office was “rebuilt” meaning at least part of the north wall was presumably replaced. Then the south wall adjoining Imel’s building was rebuilt but again, it is unclear whether new materials were used. It would be interesting to see if any exposed bricks bearing Sitler’s name have been identified in the building. Sitler owned a brick plant around that time and it’s possible those bricks were used in this building.

Also, the Kansas Historical Society has a great publication about the Duckwall Company, which can be read here.

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