Fluvanna Mercantile Company
Fluvanna, Scurry County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Pioneer store noted for its continuous career on original site. Founded in 1915 by D. A. Jones and John A. Stavely, with associated shareholders. Stock--freighted in by Roscoe, Snyder & Pacific Railroad--was typical "general merchandise": clothing, materials, groceries, hardware, millinery, patent medicines, seeds, shoes. Flour and stock salt were sold by carloads. During 1930s Depression, barter prevailed, as local people traded cream and eggs for "store-bought" supplies. Early stock and display cases were given to a museum in 1958. (1970)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded in 1915 by D. A. Jones and John A. Stavely, the Fluvanna Mercantile Company was a classic West Texas general store, its shelves of clothing, groceries, hardware, millinery and patent medicines freighted in by the Roscoe, Snyder & Pacific Railroad. During the Depression cash gave way to barter as neighbors traded cream and eggs for "store-bought" supplies.
Why it matters
The country general store was the commercial and social heart of frontier farming communities, and its barter economy captures how rural Americans weathered the Great Depression.
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Related people
- · D. A. Jones
- · John A. Stavely
Themes & tags
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