Woodmen of the World Building ~ Nacogdoches

The first time I saw this building after moving back to East Texas I immediately thought of East Gwillimbury WOW, a blogger friend from, you guessed it, East Gwillimbury, Ontario.  After several attempts I believe I finally got a decent picture of it.  I don’t know why it’s been so difficult.  Either the light wasn’t right or the angle was askew or just the fact that it’s a big square building in the middle of a block.  So EG, this one is for you!  And all you readers, I hope if you're not already familiar with her blog, you will visit it soon.

Originally the site of the home of Frost Thorn, an early Texas impresario and Texas’ first millionaire, the land was purchased in 1919 by the Woodmen of the World fraternal association and the three-story building was constructed in about 1922 for a cost of $25,656.  WOW was a very popular organization in Texas at the turn of the century, providing aid across the state in times of disaster.  Through the years the Woodmen sponsored popular public dances upstairs.  Many different businesses have occupied this building, a grocery and hardware store, a furniture and appliance company, a business college, a surplus store, and presently an antique market.  The building is a Texas landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.