From the Archives: 1117 Washington Street

1117 Washington Street, a commercial building on the east side of the street between Grove and China streets, was built about 1902 and occupied by Lowenthal Brothers Dry Goods store.  The Vicksburg Herald reported that “it is a regular bazaar effect which greets the eye of the visitor to Lowenthal Bros’ store on North Washington Street where they keep a fine and varied stock of all things needful and necessary to gratify the taste of the feminine mind and fancy.  Their prices too, are as attractive as the high class goods offered.”  The brothers were Joe, Mose, and Meyer and were joined by their father, Israel, before he moved to Memphis in about 1913.

The Lowenthal Brothers bought several lots in Waltersville and in 1903 constructed a commercial building and had just filled it with stock when, on April 17, it burned even before it opened for business.  Someone called the state insurance commissioner and reported that Meyer Lowenthal had set the building on fire.  The commissioner charged Lowenthal with arson on April 23, a charge that Lowenthal vehemently denied and he requested an immediate trial to learn “who had laid the charges on which the insurance commissioner’s action was based.” Two days later, after a four-hour trial, Judge F. W. Little found that “I have not heard any evidence at all which I consider could convict Mr. Lowenthal and as I believe firmly in his innocence, he is acquitted.” It was the court’s belief that the insurance company was behind the prosecution because it did not want to pay the $6,000 for the loss.  In fact, they continued to decline payment and Lowenthal filed suit against them and in November won his fight against the Home Insurance Company of New York.

Also in November of 1903, the Lowenthal brothers established the American Manufacturing Company and added a new location on Mulberry Street.  The company dealt in druggist and grocery specialties and soda fountains and soda fountain supplies.  By 1913, the building at 1117 was used as a warehouse for Carl G. Maas Furniture store that was across the street at 1110-1112.  In 1918, it was the shop and residence of Morris Olswing, a tailor, followed in 1921 by Paul Kestenbaum Company, general merchandise, and the Vicksburg Hamburger Stand in 1924. From the 1930s to 1963, the DeLuxe Café operated out of the building.  It was demolished during Urban Renewal in the 1970s and is a parking lot today.  Nancy Bell, Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation.