| Business Palace Theater explodes The Seguin
Palace Theater was destroyed by explosions and fire in March of 1946
but
will rise again according to plans of H. A. Daniels, owner and
operator. Meanwhile, Daniels will attempt to give Seguin's
theater crowd it usual good run of motion pictures, possibly in an open
air theater near the present site of the Palace.
The matter was of course unfortunate for both the owner of the theater and his business, and for the Seguin people who attend the motion pictures regularly. However, one ray of good fortune was evident in the gloom when it was disclosed that the accident came with the theater empty of all patrons and no person was harmed or injured. Damage or loss was estimated at various figures ranging from $50,000 to $70,000. Of serious importance, However, is the present scarcity and restrictions on building materials and various items of equipment, which may slow construction. The building collapse and resultant fire, was investigated for two days by various local, state and government agencies to determine factors behind the incident. Final conclusion have not been reached from the reams of testimony, with the exception that it has been concluded that some sort of explosion happened, followed by fire. Among other things, gas accumulation could have caused the explosion, and that theory is being thoroughly checked by investigating authorities. The theater is a total loss, with only the front wall remaining intact and this damaged and cracked. The fire came just before midnight and the fire department did a good job in confining the fire to the theater property. Meanwhile, first run pictures scheduled locally have been moved to the Texas Theater where top rate motion picture classics will be available to the public. Seguin Enterprise, Mar 28, 1946 Fire
destroys warehouse
One of the
largest and most destructive fires in Seguin's history totally
destroyed the huge elevator and storehouse of Seguin Milling Company at
the Depot last Thursday, late in the afternoon. The origin of the
fire is thought to have been due to friction in the elevator belt near
the top of the structure. Firemen answering the call soon had
eight streams of water on the building, built could not reach the
blaze,
as it was confined inside the corrugated iron walls and roof. The
intense heat and smoke prevented entering any part of the
building. Firemen who were taxed to utmost capacity, prevented
the spread of flames to other nearby property, including Traeger Mill
and Guadalupe Creamery.
All three pumpers, hydrant streams and a pumper from Randolph Field, generously sent, were worked at greatest capacity. The first five hours of the fire about 365,000 gallons of water was pumped and 3700 feet of hose laid. All equipment stood up fine. Water was still being used on the fire nearly a week after it started. Several firemen were overcome by heat and smoke and given first aid. The huge building contained 25,000 bushels of unshelled corn and was valued at $31,000; which was later sold at auction. The building is practically a total loss and much of the office equipment and records were damaged or destroyed. The conflagration was a supreme test to our local Fire Department and its equipment, and under the leadership of Chief Solmky and officers they met it bravely and with credit. Seguin Enterprise, November 1944 Aumont Hotel sold to Austinite
The Aumont
Hotel Company, originally composed of 12 men in Seguin, have sold the
Aumont Hotel to W. R. Hooper of Austin.
Mr. Hooper took possession of the building and business on January 15, 1944. The Aumont Hotel, as well as the Plaza Hotel, has always been one of Seguin's real assets, very few towns this size having such modern and up-to-date hotels. The Aumont operates a modern coffee shop in connection with it and is also the location of the Bowen Bus Station. Guadalupe Gazette- Bulletin, January 20, 1944 Western Auto turns 11
H. E. "Bugs"
Stautzenberger this month is celebrating the 11th anniversary of the
operation of his Western Auto Associate Store in Seguin. Since
the advent of his business here, Stautzenberger has been required to
increase his floor space three times due to what has amounted to about
one third increase in volume every three years.
Stautzenberger, in a statement this week, attributes the success of his business to fair dealing, fair prices, and an endless attempt to satisfy his customers by every measurement, His policy has been to consistently maintain low prices, yet maintain low prices, yet maintain a margin of profit by which he has consistently improved his business standards and paid better than the average wage to employees. In Recognition of the fine association he has enjoyed with his patrons, Stautzenberger said yesterday: "I have prepared many specials, some of which are outlined in our large ad in this newspaper, and in 4,000 catalogues distributed over the community. With, I extend the deepest appreciation for the fine patronage of our large and endless line of customers, and hope that with the coming of our 12th anniversary, I may continue having the pleasure of serving you." Guadalupe Gazette Bulletin, June 24, 1948 New photography studio opens
Leon Kubala, an
experienced and trained photographer and finisher has opened a new
photo studio in the Hugh Bldg. at 111 W. Gonzales St., next to
Naumann's R&W and is prepared to serve the public in photography,
kodak finishing work, enlargement etc. He asks his friends and
the public to call and see him in his new business. See his
announcement adv. in this issue.
Seguin Enterprise, July 21, 1944 Retail Merchants Association
MERCHANTS OF
GUADALUPE COUNTY:
Let's go, let's get out of the rut, let's do things. We want bigger and better business in Guadalupe County. We are losing a lot of good business and profits by letting new business locate in other towns. We have the business sites, good weather conditions, good water, and plenty of good prospective employees, everything desirable. The war is over, but what about post war business? Times and conditions have changed, what are you doing about them? Let's work together and work out these conditions, let's keep up with the times. Only through cooperation and a united organization can we accomplish these things. This is your organization, what are you going to do with it? You members elected the following business people as your 1947 officers of this Association: Mr. E. F. Howard, Howard Motor Co., Pres. Mr. D.W. Reneau, Reneau Bros., Vice President Mr. Nolte Starcke, Starcke Furniture Co., Treas. Mrs. W. H. Timmermann, Seguin Credit Bureau, Secretary DIRECTORS: Mr. H. E. Stautzenberger, Western Auto Mr. Herman Baer, Michna Service Station Mr. R. W. Morrison, Seguin Finance Co. Mr. A. Cover, Seguin Lumber Mr. Harold Baenziger, Baenzigers Red & White We have an S.O.S. System that will contact all members in the matter of a few minutes in case of an emergency. We have brought in Specialists in Retail Training from the University of Texas and the State Board of Vocational Education, who conduct classes in every line. We have a credit luncheon once a month where we discuss credit risks. We have brought in guest speakers who are highly trained in different lines of business. We are creating a closer unity, fairer competition and better Business Conditions for the merchants of Guadalupe County. You cannot afford to be a non-member. we need you, we want you, and you need us. A small yearly fee entitles you to all the advantages of this organization. COME ON, get on the band wagon. Contact any of the above officers. GUADALUPE COUNTY RETAIL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING Guadalupe Gazette Bulletin, February 6, 1947 |