Business Transaction
by Barry Bauer
This earlier photo (circa 1930s) shows two of the buildings involved in a 1955 business real estate transaction. It was called, “the largest transaction in St. Johns in recent history” and involved five buildings. The Merit Shoe Co. was in the same location but the Good Housekeeping Shop became Garey Appliance Store.
Both businesses vacated their location to make room for the E. F. Boron Company that bought the property from Mr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Wilson. The Wilsons can be remembered as the parents of Rodney B. Wilson, the namesake of the Rodney B. Wilson High School. They donated land and money for the new high school.
E. F. Boron Company was previously located above the D & C Store directly across the street. In 1955 the Firestone store also was located where the Kroger Store was back then. The Merit Shoes Co. remained in business and just moved across the street.