Days Gone By

Recognize this building? It's Greenwood's old Dawson and Stewart Dry Goods and Mercantile. In its current incarnation, it's a single story structure and houses an antique shop.  This photo is our evidence that there was once a second story. It contained a theater that showed movies and hosted traveling shows. The movie poster in this photo says, " Neal Hart in a Two Reel Special Western Drama." Neal Hart was a star of silent movies in 1916-1919. The poster on the far left says, "The Dog Catcher, a Clever Bit." We think this movie could possibly have been the Walt Disney silent movie, "Alice and the Dog Catcher," made in 1924. Beneath the womens' hats in the window, is a display of kewpie dolls. This information leads us to the conclusion the photo was taken between 1916-1924.

The Dawson-Stewart Building has survived two fires and the 1968 Category Five tornado that destroyed much of our city. Next time you drive past, envision it in its heyday, the screen door squeaking as it opens and Reba Dawson beckoning, "Hello! Come in!"