SUMMARY

The Peoples Supply Company is a 1.5 story frame structure which is situated in a northwardly-facing direction on a small lot (41'x135') in the center of town, near the intersection of Alabama Highway 104 and Baldwin County 55. Dating from 1902, it features a rectangular plan, board and batten exterior siding, and a gable roof with two dormers on each side of the gable. There are two principal facades, with the north gable front entrance facing the community's central park, and the west facade facing Baldwin County 55. An L-shaped porch wraps around these two facades.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The Peoples Supply Company is eligible for listing on the Alabama Register under Criteria A and C, local commerce and architecture. Historically, it served as a general merchandising store for Silver Hill and other surrounding agricultural communities. From 1902, when the structure was built, until the 1950's, Silver Hill experienced a boom in activity and growth, arid the Peoples Supply Company was the center of community life. Architecturally, it remains as one of two commercial structures dating from the turn-of-the-century. It has been maintained very close to its original appearance.

HISTORICAL SUMMARY

The community of Silver Hill was begun in the mid-1890's by the Svea Land Company, as attempt to develop southern land (recently made accessible by rail transportion) for sale to immigrant populations. Dr. E. C. Slosson, Oscar Johnson, and John Linden, all of Chicago, organized the effort, with the idea of creating a Swedish community in Baldwin County. The first settlers arrived in Silverhill in 1896, and the Peoples Supply Company soon developed as the most popular general store in the area. It was built in 1902 by Theodore A. Johnson on land purchased from Carl 0. and Hanna Carlson of Chicago. The store contained 2,000 square feet of merchantile space downstairs and 1,000 square feet of living space upstairs. The Johnson family maintained the structure as their business and residence until 1928, when George Marinos acquired the business and later the property (1947).

Marinos, a Greek-origin resident of Loxley who accumulated some amount of wealth, hired Leslie and Elsie Chandler to run the store. Between 1928 and 1972, the Chandlers managed the store and raised two children in the upstairs living quarters. During their 44-year tenure, the Peoples Supply Company reached its zenith with an inventory of up to $18,000 and sales reaching $130,000 per year. Over 8,000 pounds of coffee were sold per year.

Since 1972, the store has had seven subsequent owners who were unable to maintain the business, probably because of the recent availability of supermarkets and discount retail stores. Dr. and Mrs. J. D. Spalding purchased the building in 1993 and renovated it for use as an antique and reproduction furniture store.

DESCRIPTION

The structure has been maintained very similar to its original condition, with the exception of the following: removal of the exterior stairs (c. 1950), removal of upstairs bath which was added in the 1940's, installation of brick stairs on south and west facades, addition of a porch rail at ends of "L", installation of new floor downstairs, refinshing of floor upstairs, sheetrocking of walls and ceilings upstairs, addition of two 1/2 baths downstairs, refinishing of display shelves and cabixets. Most of these changes were made to remove earlier alterations. Notable elements which remain are the original 2/2 sash windows, original doors and hardware, transom, 3 of 4 lightening rods (2 with glass balls intact), tin roof dating from 1930's, safe, display shelves and counters, and cashier's cage.

Silverhill, Alabama was the center of an extended community for 40+ years (1910-1950's). The area included all of central Baldwin County from Fairhope to Elberta, including Loxley, Robertsdale, Summerdale, and Foley.

Silverhill received its name from a sawmill and turpentine distillery on the hill (near Oscar Johnson Memorial Park located just east of town). All workers had to go up the hill to be paid in silver each week (hence the name "Silverhill").

Remaining from Silverhill's "hey day" are the SVEA Land Company office established by Oscar Johnson in 1896, (now the Silverhill Library) and the People's Supply Company building which was established in 1902.

People's Supply Company in "downtown" Silverhill was the important community center of Silverhill during this period where evenyone did their shopping and Saturday meeting. This building is truly significant in the history of Silverhill and central Baldwin County.

The property was purchased by Theodore A. (Teddy) Johnson on September 27, 1901 from Carl 0. and Hanna Carlson of Chicago. Mr. Johnson erected the building and opened People's Supply Company, a general store, in 1902. To the west (across the street-near the present Silverhill Nursery) was Oscar Johnson's home. During construction of this home, Theodore (no relation to Oscar) and his wife had a dinner party for Oscar and his wife. The cooking was done on an old tree stump and the men guarded the food with guns to keep wild pigs away.

People's Supply Company, with approximately 2,000 square feet downstairs and 1,000 square feet upstairs, was operated as a general store by Theodore Johnson and family from 1902 to 1928. The family living quarters were located upstairs. The store sold everything needed in that day, from shoes, clothing, and groceries to feed & seed and hardware.

In 1928, Mr. George Marinos of Greek origin living in Loxley, acquired the business (later buying the building in 1947). Mr. Marinos hired Mr. Leslie Chandler to run the business. Several stories are told about Mr. Marinos; he often reverted to the Greek language when talking rapidly and he often wrote leaving out vowels to speed write (a Greek shorthand?). He eventually became very wealthy and on one occasion took $75,000 in cash to distribute to relatives in Greece, but found his relatives so greedy, he returned to Silverhill with the money.

From 1928 to 1972, Mr. Leslie and Mrs. Elsie Chandler managed the People's Supply Company, raising their two children (daughter Thelma and son Sidney) upstairs. During their 44-year tenure, People's Supply Company reached its zenith with an inventory of up to $18,000 and sales reaching $130,000 per year. Upwards of 8,000 lbs. of coffee were sold per year.

Business owner Marinos and manager Chandler decided during the Depression that no one in Silverhill would go hungry. All were allowed to charge goods. When repayment was made, they would give credit to the account (never letting the debtor know what the true debt was). Many of these debts were torn up over the years.

The wise and benevolent Mr. Chandler is well remembered by longtime residents of Silverhill. School buses picked up children in front of the store; after school the children came to read comic books (while sitting on the "beautiful mahogany" inside stairs). One person even related to me the memory of playing "craps" before school. Mr. Chandler could always beat them but returned their lost money after school as out that same day. Mr. Chandler removed the inside mahogany stairs in the 1950's to make more room in the store, but perhaps the reading of comic books also had something to do with this.

The Town of Silverhill in its early days was populated mostly by those of Swedish descent. A popular Christmas treat was Herring (the whole fish) in brine and Lutetisk (dried Codfish). During the holidays, the Swedes came from miles around to People's Supply to obtain this popular treat. Mr. Chandler always had it available in barrels by the west door and needless to say the whole store took on this odoriferous smell. Today, Silverhill has many Swedish people, but the ethnic makeup has blurred over time with intemiarriage and integration.

After the death of Mr and Mrs. Theodore Johnson, their daughter, Mrs. Louise J. Lundberg owned the property and lived next door. Mrs. Lundberg was a school teacher and both she and her husband gave music lessons throughout the county (he taught violin, she taught piano). They often held musical recitals in their home. Mr. Marinos purchased this property in 1947 and upon his death in the 1950's willed half to Mr. Chandler and half to his step-grandson (Walter Havel) who later gave his share to the Chandlers.

Mr. Chandler retired at age 70, after forty-four years at People's Supply Company, selling the propert to Mr. and Mrs. Homer Gosnell in 1972. Since 1972 there have been seven owners, apparently none of whom were successful in this business. This is possibly due to supermarkets and convenient stores having taken the general store's place in society.

1972 Homer and Florence Gosnell

1974 Creighton (Peco) and Irene Forsman

1976 S. Dwight Boman

1979 Hugh and Joanne Kennedy

1981 Richard and Glenda Beall

1989 W. R. and Sterling Bean

Dr. and Mrs. J. D. Spalding purchased the building in 1993 and started major renovation in 1994 which were completed in August, 1995. The building was then opened as an antique and fine reproduction furniture in September, 1995.

1. Removed outside stairs;
   
   
2. Removed bathroom upstairs (added in 1940's);
   
   
3. Replaced outside porch and its foundation;
   
   
4. New brick steps on North and Back of building using old brick & pattern, similar to the front;
   
   
5. Upstairs:
   
   
   1. removed all fiber board walls and ceiling
      
      removed old central closet
      
      removed one short wall (non-bearing)
      
      
   2. sheetrocked all walls and ceiling
      
      bead board wainscoting (old) entire upstairs
      
      refinished original (heart pine) floors
      
      added two window unit air conditioners
      
      
6. Downstairs:
   
   new original pine floors (1x4 T & G) (the original was unrepairable);
   
   added (2) 1/2 Baths (Ladies and Gents);
   
   refinished old original counters (heart pine);
   
   new air conditioners;
   
   new back door and stoop & overhang;
   
   
7. New electrical wiring as needed;
   
   added antique light fixtures from the now demolished San Carlos Hotel in Pensacola, FL.;
   
   new stairs inside;
   
   completely repainted inside and outside;
   
   Outside original color - White Color in 1993 - Barn Red
   
   Present color - Mushroom with Charleston Green trim
   
   
8. Added features:
   
   non-working gasoline, oil, and Kerosene tank (outside)
   
   leaded glass antique sign over front door
   
   decorative (Victorian type) rail at ends of porch.
   
   
9. Original:
   
   all windows 2 over 2;
   
   all doors - mostly onginal imperfect glass (except for back door);
   
   all door latches;
   
   transom window over front door;
   
   3 out of 4 original lightening rods (2 with glass balls intact);
   
   tin roof - placed over original wood shingles in 1930's;
   
   safe in NW corner downstairs;
   
   shelves and counters downstairs;
   
   cashier's cage at front door

1. People's Supply Company circa 1914 - note wood shingles on roof. Siding of building is board and batten which remains today. Windows upstairs are 2 over 2 (remains the same today). Shutters and tin roof were added in late 1920's or early 1930's.
   
   
2. New Settlers coming into Silverhill, circa 1928.



3. Front of Building - camera facing south - note original wood sign.



4. Front door of building - original with original latches and glass. Added antique leaded glass sign over door.



5. Right side of front of building showing old "People's Supply Co." painted window and storm shutters which still work to cover large windows when hurricanes come through.



6. Porch at front of building showing installed antique lights and construction details of porch roof.



7. West elevation (camera facing East) shows tin roof, old gasoline pump and kerosene tank (original to People's Supply Co.). Both are non-functional.



8. West door - original doors and glass.



9. West hack door - also original.



10. Rear (back of building) - Southside - camera facing north - three things added during renovation, includes window air conditioner upstairs; decorative railing end of porch and roof over back stoop.



11. Dormer window upstairs - 2 over 2 windows (original) - shutters - lightening rod with glass ball.



12. East side of building - where outside stairs were located from 1950 to 1993. Entry was through door at dormer window location.



13. Back room - show old double door (solid wood) and shelf above for storage.



14. Cashier's cage just inside front door.



15. East wall inside downstairs - shows original general store shelves and 12-foot ceiling.



16. This demonstrates new (1x4 tongue and groove) pine floor placed diagonally over original floor.



17. Downstairs - shows original head board ceiling and recently installed antique light fixtures (from the demolished San Carlos Hotel in Pensacola, FL).



18. New installed inside stair - in same location as original which was removed in 1950's to "make more room for business".



19. Tin shoe advertisement sign found during renovation - now framed for display.



20. Another tin shoe advertisement found during renovation.



21. Upstairs - new plasterboard walls and ceiling with installed (old) bead board wainscoting.



22. Refinished upstairs heart pine floors.



23. Upstairs - note 2 over 2 window - this is the location where the old outside stairs came in.