601 N Main

In 1883, the German National Bank called this building home along with a land office, law office, the Golden Eagle Clothing House, Bowman & Butcher Attorneys, J.W. Murphy, real estate agent and several other businesses. The words "Bentley Block 1883" can be seen at the top of the building in photos

By 1910, the building had undergone some remodeling to square off the corner and add large windows to the front facade. The entrance was also changed to face Main street.

S.A. Hanlin came to Newton in April 1890 with J.W. Lostutter and together opened their first retail establishment, "the Racket." A year later Lostutter left for Emporia. Hanlin continued and expanded. By 1897, Hanlin Mercantile Co had all the buildings 603 N Main - 601 N Main.

Hanlin was noted for his honest, savvy, shrewd business methods and his company continued to grow with stores in McPherson, Arkansas City, Wellington, Wichita,and Medford, OK. He also had supply stores along the railroad to provided goods for railroad workers and their families.

In 1912, Hanlin formed a partnership with S.V. Shelp changing the name to Hanlin-Shelp Mercantile. After the death of Shelp in 1914, long time friend of Hanlin, J.J. Lewis, purchase Shelp's stock and the company was renamed Hanlin-Lewis Mercantile. Hanlin sold his interest and retired from the firm in 1915. The Hanlin-Lewis Mercantile continued until at least 1923 when it appears to have been sold and renamed the Cayot Mercantile. By 1938, city directories list J.C. Penney's at the address where it operated until the 1990.

In the mid 1960s, the building suffered the same fate as many other Main street buildings and metal siding was installed. Luckily, this was removed in the earl 2000s to return to the 1910 appearance.

Today, Prairie, a market with a wide variety of local and specialty foods, is located at 601 N Main.

(Billie Wilson, Kristine Schmucker)