Feature 179: 121-123 West Lexington Avenue (in 2011)

Classification: Contributing.
Historic Name: Owens-Wyatt Building.
Architectural Style: Commercial (originally Italianate).
Construction Date: ca. 1895.
Period 2 of Harry S Truman's Life: Establishing Community Roots, 1890-1919.
Tax Identification: 26-230-16-09.
Legal Description: Old Town, part of lot 66.
Description: Contributing two-story brick commercial building; rectangular in shape; brick exterior; terra cotta panels on facade; flat roof behind low parapet with bracketed metal cornice, rising above band of double-hung sash windows (second floor); large display windows on ground floor; two recessed shop entrances; centered stairway accesses second floor rooms. Located on the south side of the West Lexington Avenue in the middle of the block across from the Courthouse; sidewalk extends along the north-facing facade; buildings adjoin on both sidewalls.
• Alterations: Two stepped decorative parapets removed; transom lights covered.
History/Significance: The names Owens and Wyatt have been associated with this building since its construction in the mid-1890s, however, little is known about Owens and Wyatt. This mid-1890s building was constructed on the site of a former two- and one-half story building. In 1898, a grocery occupied the eastern portion of the building and a tailor held forth in the western side.
By 1907, a drug store operated by Robert D. Mize was located in the eastern half and Hinde Brothers Grocery occupied the western shop, operated by Howard C. and James O. Hinde. Hinde Brothers ceased operating in the mid-1900s and their shop space was vacant for some time. Mize Drugs remained in business in this building into the 1920s. By 1930s, Yantis-Fritts Drug Company occupied the Mize Drug shop space. At that time, a ladies’ furnishings store, called The Model, was located in the western shop space. The local justice of the peace and several attorneys rented offices on the second floor.