421-427 N Main

The buildings from 421 to 427 were constructed at the same time and appear to have been designed along the same lines in the Italianate style. All were present by 1886.

425-427 N Main

The ground floor has been altered with the installation of large expanses of plate glass windows and the removal of the entry door.

Also known as the Hart building after the original owner, it was built around 1879. Notice the gray hearts under the cornices. 425-427 N Main are the last of the original buildings that marked this intersection at 5th & Main. The 400 and 500 Blocks N Main were the heart of early Newton, Ks..

H. L. Hart

The first businesses were run by H.L. Hart. In 1880, Hart began building a masonry building at 425 N Main. The structure would share a wall with 427 N Main, owned by Hart's partner, S.T. Marsh. In 1881, Hart opened Hart's Furnishing Goods at 425 N Main. In 1884, S.T. Marsh died and Hart took over the 427 property. It became the location of Hart's Beehive Clothing.

In 1900, the first jewelry store in Newton was opened by George W. Kates at 425 N Main. Eventually, this became the Sterba Jewelry Store. Sterba was the general watch inspector for the middle division of the Santa Fe Railroad.

Since then, a variety of businesses resided in these buildings. From grocers and clothing stores to a movie theater, billiards and restaurants.

For many years in the 1940s through the 1960s, Rexall Drug Store was a mainstay at this location. Rexall Drug Store closed April 18, 1968.

(Billie Wilson, Kristine Schmucker)