This photo of a campaign procession for Harry S Truman provides a good view of the Aylor Building storefronts.

From the 3rd floor
of the Webb City Public Library

Old News

Endangered building has housed many businesses

Webb City Area Genealogical Society

January 15, 2025

The red brick building at 212 N. Main St. is under threat of demolition. The building has been in disrepair for a number of year and last November the back portion of the building collapsed.

In 2018, Jenni Sexton purchased the building stating she planned to build three commercial spaces on the first floor and three apartments on the second floor.

Over the last century, the 1899 building has housed many different businesses. It was the home of the first YMCA in Webb City and the Rebekahs and the Old Fellow lodges held their meetings on the second floor. Here is a partial list of some of the occupants.

1906 –  The Webb City Sentinel reported that E. A. Marshall had sold his store in the Aylor building to a good advantage and his room has been leased by H. C. Humphrap, the owner of a Pittsburg, Kan., firm at double the rent who will put in a tailoring shop and gents furnishing establishment. The Earle G. Reese Fine Tailoring and Chicago Steam Dye Works occupied the building during this time period.

1909 – A photograph showed the occupant was having a bankrupt sale. The name of the store was possibly Webb City Floors or Webb City Motors.

1911 – The Webb City Directory listed the C.V. Wright Chili Parlor, located at 212 N. Allen (Main). The same directory lists 212 N. Allen (Main) St. as the Aylor Building.

1923 – The Kirby store advertised a key and lock service at 212 N. Main (Allen) St.

1947, – The Tarrant Cabinet Shop, 212 N. Main St., Phone 48, was offering cemetery monuments and grave markers. The same year, The Trade Mart was also located there.

1952 – The Home Appliance Service, 212 N. Main St., Phone 91, advertised repairs on washers, fans, vacuum cleaners, irons, toasters and other appliances.

Later generations of Webb City residents will remember the Clawpaws pet store that occupied the building.s

Earle G. Reese, Fine Tailoring and Chicago Steam Dye Works is printed on the awning. This may be the tailoring business mentioned in the 1906 Sentinel article.
This 1909 view (bottom) shows the Aylor Building, 212 N. Allen (Main) St. with a sign stating there is a bankrupt sale going on. The business sign is obscured by the electric pole. It could be Webb City Floors or possibly Webb City Motors.

Webb City Area Genealogical Society

WCAGS members staff the Genealogy Room on the third floor of the Webb City Public Library. Current hours are noon to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in the Genealogy Room.

Everything you want to know about Jasper County Missouri Schools is available at a site compiled by Webb City Area Genealogical Society member Kathy Sidenstricker.