W.H. Best and Sons Meat Market

The building was originally built in Locke and was moved to Nappanee when people, businesses, and homes were migrating to Nappanee. It was a Meat Market at one time. It was owned by William Henry Best and his sons Otis and Wilbur. The market was equipped with steam power and meeting cutting machine of the best make and they manufactured bologna, fresh sausage, and everything known to the meat trade, including tons of lard every season.

We do know that the building that was known as Locke Station was turned into a meat market for Stoner and Martin. It looks very much like the picture of the Eby's store in a composite drawing that appeared in the 1874 Elkhart County Atlas.

A mystery remains about the Eby brothers and if they fully moved to Nappanee. In the November 18, 1875 Goshen Democrat, it mentioned that George and Henry Eby were still leading businessmen of Locke and had a dry goods, hardware, clothing, and grocery store. They also conducted the flour mill in Locke. In 1883, Henry and George would offer to move their flour mill to Nappanee. They proposed that if Nappanee donated $1000, the Locke Mill would move to Nappanee repaired, fitted up, and made capable of turning out flour by the latest improved methods. By 1885 though Nappanee was asking for subscriptions to build their own mill.