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NE CO Historic Photobook Blog
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Writer's pictureCindy Kipp

Mall of America? Who knew?

Updated: Jun 17

What comes to your mind when you think of how the buildings looked in the early 1900's? A clapboard, one room, dirt floor structure, perhaps? This masterpiece mall was called the "Drake Mercantile Building" and was a stunning portrait of fine workmanship that many small towns could only dream of.


Mercantile as described in the dictionary means, "a store relating to trade or commerce."

The Drake Mercantile Company was built and owned by Dudley and Ed Finch and Ed Intermill. This two story structure was built in 1913 and the above photo was taken in 1915. In addition to the Farmers State Bank, it was occupied by a grocery store, a department store owned by J.B. Hoadley, a photography shop, meat market, a clothing store and even a JC Penney. The top floor was later converted to the Haxtun Community Hospital on March 1, 1938, by two nurses hoping to make a modern facility for the growing community. It may of utilized all fourteen of the available rooms! Many community members report that they were "born at this hospital." One person remembers being very sick and in an oxygen tent in the hallway because there was no rooms available at the time because of widespread sickness. As the years passed, mercantile continued its "commerce" status as it was home to a floral shop, a thrift store, antique shop, Northeast BOCES office, and the local newspaper in the 70's to early 90's. Today the building use is less active and mainly used for apartments.




Reon Chaney owner of these horses and mules were responsible for digging the basement for the Farmers State Bank in the Drake Mercantile Building. The dirt extracted from this work was more than likely dumped on Colorado Ave, the main street of the town. According to the description under this photo which hangs in the Phillips County Museum in Holyoke Colorado the Drake building was home to a dry goods store and a photography shop. An auditorium in the upstairs area was used for graduations, lodge meetings, dances and school plays. Later, the upstairs was converted to the Haxtun Community Hospital.


The Mercantile Building with the Haxtun Bank, c. 1915.

Mens revival meeting in front of the Drake building, c 1920.

The Farmers State bank had a spot in the front of the building, c.1925.

In the 1940's and 1950's the Haxtun Community Hospital was on the second floor. This photo is on the north side. Dr. Benes's 1957 Ford hardtop convertible car shown in the photo.


The Drake building still stands as a shinning example of suburb architecture of the past and the pride of the community today.


Credit: Wilbur Kipp photo collection, Homesteading Haxtun and the High Plains by Jean Gray, various other contributors.




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Janita Kler
Janita Kler
May 09, 2018

Very interesting! I enjoy seeing all of these old photos! Thank you for sharing!

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