 Oscar
Riddle was the first businessman. He operated a saloon outside of
Mantua. He set up his merchandise in a tent on the small creek
east of the railroad in the northeast part of Van Alstyne. He
sold stick candy for $1 per stick since he did not have a liquor
license. He would put the customer's stick of candy into a bottle
of whiskey instead of a sack. By 1800, Van Alstyne had five
saloons and two wholesale liquor houses. All saloons were closed
in 1881 due to a local option vote.
Dave Lewis, from Pilot Grove, operated a blacksmith shop at the corner of Main and Marshall Streets. The shop had, at one time, housed the undertaking establishment of C. C. McCorkle. Ed. G. Beall erected the first brick store building in 1884 at the corner of Main and Jefferson Streets. A later businesses established within the brick building was the J. A. Stinnett Dry Goods Co. and the Bill Barrett Grocery. Louis Garver established the lumber trade in Van Alstyne in 1881. The McKinney-Marr Gin Co. was the first gin, owned by Joe A. McKinney and Jess Marr. It was located on south Main Street. Located near the McKinney-Marr Gin Co. was a flour mill where "Our Joy" flour was made from wheat grown by local farmers.  Van Alstyne History Susan Hawkins © 2024 Grayson County TXGenWeb |