L. Schwartz Company
Uvalde, Uvalde County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Louis Schwartz (1840-1924), a native of Alsace-Lorraine, came to the United States in 1866. He later moved to Uvalde and sold dry goods and medicines, using a wagon to serve the surrounding area. In 1878 he established a mercantile store in a frame structure near the corner of Main and Camp streets. About 1900 he moved the operation to a new building at this site. After his death in 1924 the store was operated by his sons Lee and Jake Schwartz. The business remained an important Uvalde commercial enterprise until it closed in 1960. 1981
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Louis Schwartz, a native of Alsace-Lorraine, immigrated to the United States in 1866 and settled in Uvalde, at first peddling dry goods and medicines from a wagon across the surrounding country. In 1878 he opened a mercantile store near Main and Camp streets, moving it to a new building around 1900. After his death in 1924 his sons carried the business on until it finally closed in 1960 — more than eight decades as a fixture of Uvalde commerce.
Why it matters
The Schwartz store traces the immigrant-merchant path from frontier peddler to established Main Street institution that anchored countless Western towns.
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Related people
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Themes & tags
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