The Downs Building

Currently in the third phase of renovation, the Down building is a 1894 community landmark that was built after the Great Fire and Flood of 1892 that destroyed much of the North Side downtown district. Local architect Joseph P. Brenot designed the chateauesque style building for Patrick Downs. Downs was the proprietor of a saloon on the first floor of the building and he and his family lived in the upper floors. Later, two Greek brothers bought the Downs Building and ran an ice cream and candy shop. Triangle Shoes, Radio Shack and a T-shirt printing business were among the enterprises that followed the ice cream shop over the years. Doctors’ offices and attorneys’ offices were also housed in the building at various times.

Sources gather from The Derrick and others.