Building Memories: Home Furniture Store
“Sitting on the eastern edge of old downtown Texarkana, Home Furniture Co. provided decades of quality furniture for Texarkana’s citizens.”
The large “Home Furniture Company” sign at the corner of Texas Boulevard and West Seventh Street had been there so long that Texarkana residents were caught up short when this business closed in late 2005 or early 2006. This business had one of the prime locations in town, being located on two main arteries through town. Hundreds of cars passed by the store daily.
In the earliest of Texarkana’s historical resources—the 1899-1900 Texarkana City Directory—this block of Texarkana, Texas, is purely residential, except for Central School which faced Spruce Street, on the west side of this block. Samuel Davidson, who owned a men’s furnishings store, had a residence at 619 Maple St. (as Texas Boulevard was called then). David Davidson, who owned a second-hand store at 219 W. Broad St., lived at 613 Maple St. David’s household included Miss Selma Davidson, and David Davidson Jr., who was a clerk in his father’s store.
The 1910 Texarkana City Directory showed that by that time the Davidson families had moved away from Maple Street and James H. Forlines, a clerk for E.H. Huddleston, Meat Shop, had moved into the residence at 619 Maple St. Next door was the home of Guy D. Shaw, the tinner.
Between 1910 and 1920 Texarkana was growing at a rapid rate and there was tremendous turnover in real estate along our busiest thoroughfares. Douglas F. Johnson, a farmer, opened a “city house” at 619 Maple St., which he and his family enjoyed when the agricultural pace in the country slowed down during the winter months. Shaw and Forlines had moved on to other spaces by that time, or had moved out of town. Nicholas Mundella Confectionery occupied the building at 621-623 Maple St. The Mundella family had their residence either within the building at these addresses, or on an adjacent lot. This was the perfect place for a “sweet shop,” being located just off of the Central School playground.
In 1931 the Homer P. Stephens Motor Company moved into the 619 Texas Blvd. lot. Texas Avenue Confectionery, owned by Augustus B. Hill and his wife, Nona, occupied 621 Texas Blvd., and Day Brothers Service Station stood at the end of this block. Calvin J. Day and his wife, Rachel, were joined by his brother, Walker L. Day and his wife, Helena, in this business.
Between 1935 and 1945 International Harvester Trucks bought 619-623 Texas Blvd. and built a new building there. Also listed at 621 Texas Blvd. were the Indian Motorcycle Sales Shop and Texarkana Piston Ring Sales, both owned by Wallace Mullin. In 1945 Bernal A. Watson bought out the International dealership. In a 1990 interview with John Fooks of the Texarkana Gazette, Watson, then 99 years of age, noted that the front part of his building was used as a parts department, while the rear of the store was used for repairs and service. New trucks were sold from a lot due south of this building.
Change was underway in 1950 for this area of Texas Boulevard. The International dealership was gone, 619 Texas Blvd. was listed as “vacant,” and the Rose Oil Co. had opened their Filling Station No. 1 at 621-623 Texas Blvd. Robert B. Farley was the supervisor at this location.
Between 1950 and 1959, Home Furniture Co. moved into the former International Truck dealership building. B.A. Watson retired in 1956, and the change in ownership may have occurred at that time, or a little later. Clarence E. Brower and Ovie R. Birmingham were the owners of Home Furniture Co. and a second store at 224 Olive St. called Towne Furniture. Charles Brower retired from the business between 1975 and 1981.
Between 1950 and 1959, Home Furniture Co. moved into the former International Truck dealership building. B.A. Watson retired in 1956, and the change in ownership may have occurred at that time, or a little later. Clarence E. Brower and Ovie R. Birmingham were the owners of Home Furniture Co. and a second store at 224 Olive St. called Towne Furniture. Charles Brower retired from the business between 1975 and 1981.
Home Furniture Co. was a steady force in the Texarkana business community from its opening in the mid-1950s to its closing in 2005, or 2006. Perhaps you shopped there for a rocking chair, a Lane cedar chest, or a new bedroom suite. Their familiar presence will be missed downtown.
