Henderson Building

In 1847, a man named Henderson erected a large three-story brick building that at the time was the only three-story building in the county. It was occupied for various purposes. The Potosi Republican a newspaper published in Potosi, occupied rooms in the third story. Cole and Biddlecome had their law offices on the first floor. Orsamus Cole and family occupied rooms in the second story. G. Lee Anderson had a large general store in the first story. Judge Cole before being elected associate justice of the Supreme Court, was the owner of this property. Dr. T. L. Graham afterward became the owner and had his office in the second story, and where he dwelt with his family before building a residence on East street.

R. H. Durley later purchased the property from the Graham heirs. He reduced the number of stories by removing the third, and added improvements to the exterior and interior. It was afterward occupied at by Clarence Zenz, who succeeded Mr. Durley in the general merchandise business. John Schroeder had a meat market in the first story and Dr. Faherty had a dental office in the second while Clarence Zenz occupied the apartments in the second story. William Maahs was involved with the buildings operation over the years as well. The upper levels remained apartments over the years while the lower level operated up until recently as a tavern under such names as the Blue Spruce, Reese's Roundup and Mixers.

Adjoining the Henderson building was a two-story stone building that was erected by James White for a blacksmith shop in 1841. Mr. White did blacksmith work in this shop to the time of his last illness and death in 1854. Jacob Neufang afterward became owner of the shop. Mr. Neufang for many years conducted a blacksmith and wagon shop in this building, and the Neufang wagons were well known and very popular throughout the county. He retired after many years of active work in 1870, and died in 1893. The building has since been removed.