Ehrenwerth-Ramsey-Untermeyer Building
Columbus, Colorado County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Henry M. Ehrenwerth built this two-story commercial structure in 1873-75 of bricks from a local kiln. Designed for his mercantile store, it housed L.G. Smith's Red Elk Saloon and Gambling Hall in the 1880s. In 1896 the building was purchased by James Ramsey, who operated a hardware, implement, and undertaking business here. His son Charles sold the structure in 1925 to the hardware firm of Leo L., F. J. and Emil E. J. Untermeyer.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Henry M. Ehrenwerth raised this two-story commercial building in 1873-75 using bricks fired at a local kiln, opening it as a mercantile store. In the 1880s it rang with the noise of L.G. Smith's Red Elk Saloon and Gambling Hall, then settled into respectability when James Ramsey bought it in 1896 for a hardware, implement, and undertaking business. In 1925 it passed to the Untermeyer hardware firm.
Why it matters
A single storefront that moved from dry goods to saloon to hardware traces the changing commercial life of a Texas town square across half a century.
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Related people
- · Henry M. Ehrenwerth
- · James Ramsey
Themes & tags
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