2. 100 Block
Map of downtown Moscow
Mingles Bar and Grill
Camas Prairie Winery
Hall Closet Uniform
Bucers Coffee Pub
3. A historic account of the McConnell-McGuire Building
1890-2010
TIMELINE
4. Mercantile(1890-1900)
5. 1890-1900
The McConnell-Maguire building was completed Nov. 27, 1891. Upon
finishing, the building held three floors of merchandise. According
to The Moscow Mirror in January 1892, the McConnell-Maguire
Companys aim was to supply all the wants of the people and at a
small profit. The company was one of the biggest retail stores
Moscow has ever seen. However, the company went bankrupt during the
Panic of 1893 and the business closed.
6. Williamsons(1910-1920)
7. 1910-1920
Nathaniel Williamson moved his store The Greater Boston from 408 S.
Main to the McConnell-Maguire Building in 1911. Upon arriving
there, he greatly expanded his business and opened it as the
Williamson Center. The business sold a variety of merchandise such
as furniture, dry goods, shoes, and clothing. He expanded the
business to the adjoining Brown Block building where he housed a
restaurant and grocery and hardware store. On the Williamson Center
hung an electric sign the length of the building that could be seen
from the Viola grade. It also had a working elevator from the
basement to the third floor.
8. 1920-1930
Williamsons lease of the McConnell-Maguire Building ended in 1920,
and the business ended. The building was mainly vacant for almost
the whole decade minus a short time in which a Piggly Wiggly grocer
occupied the first floor. In February 1928, a Portland contractor
announced they would be remodeling the building to house 45
apartments.The remodel began on Feb. 16, the day of Nathaniel
Williamsons funeral.The building was then known as the Thatuna
Building.
9. 1930-1940
Agricultural Adjustment Administration was a government agency that
was enacted in 1933 through President Roosevelts New Deal program.
It was established to help farmers during the depression. AAA
offices were located in the Thatuna Building during the
1930s.
10. Browns Furniture Store(1940-1950)
11. 1940-1950 (1960,1970)
The Louis Strauss family of Coville, Washington began Browns
furniture on the first level of the Thatuna Building in the
mid-1940s. The store remained at that location until the late
1970s.
12. 1970-1980
The McConnell-Maguire Building was entered into the National
Register of Historic Places in March 1978.
13. 1980-1990
In 1981, Ron and Julie Wells of renovation business Wells &
Company of Spokane bought the McConnell building.It was the first
of their many renovation projects they have done in the
Northwest.The couple updated the building and remodeled it into the
building it is today. They also signed a contract with the
Department of Housing and Urban Development that allows the 34
renovated apartments to be set aside for elderly tenants and people
with disabilities. Derek Ater began managing the building in 1983.
Also, the Corner Pocket bar was located on the first floor
throughout this decade.
14. 2000- Now
Tisa Ater took over her husbands managing position in 1990 and
continues to manage the building to this day.
The McConnell-Maguire Building currently is the location for
Mingles Bar and Grill on the first level (originally the Corner
Pocket).Mabbutt Law Office is also located on the First Street of
the first floor. 9On the second level, a nationwide discount retail
agency called Assist 2 Sell took residence in the building in 2006.
The Loft is a salon that has been located on the second floor of
the building since 2004. The rest of the building is still the home
to apartments for elderly and disabled residents.
15. 16. From the 1890s mercantile to the trendy bar of the 21st
century the McConnell-McGuire Building still stands with all its
beauty.
McConnell- McGuire Building
17. Located on the Northeast corner
The McConnell McGuire Building was built with Arched windows,
peaked tops, three stories with stained glass window accents. The
buildings historic architecture has been well preserved and can
still be admired in all its glory.
18. Idahos third governor William McConnell was one of the pioneers
of Moscow. His friend McGuire and him together made the beautiful
McConnell-McGuire Building on the corner of First and Main.
William McConnell
19. Mr. McConnell
By: Lisa Short
On the corner of First and Main you will find a beautiful, old
building. The building stands tall with high arched windows and
off-white paint. It has been altered and restored, but you can
tell. Mingles Bar and Grill takes up the bottom floor with
apartments above it. A day salon and a real estate company fill the
voids. This historic structure houses a lot of different activity
and has since it was built in 1891.
When first built the beautiful building was used for a Mercantile
for William McConnell to sell goods and produce to miners. His
mercantile flourished and he was known as the Merchant Prince of
Idaho. McConnell worked well in many aspects of his life. His
mercantile thrived, his political power grew as he eventually
became Idahos third governor and a sturdy home life. McConnell
lived with his wife, Louisa and five children in a house on Adams
Street. Although they struggled through the Great Depression
McConnells estate has been preserved and now serves as a museum of
the McConnell Mansion.
20. William McConnell moved to the west coast from Michigan when he
was young. He lived in California where he farmed cattle, mined and
banked. A year in the 1980s McConnell moved to Oregon and taught
school. In 1883 he moved to Idaho to serve as a Deputy Marshal.
McConnell returned to Oregon to cattle farm before he permanently
moved to Idaho.
In 1980 McConnell was elected to serve in the remainder of 51st
United States Congress. McConnell was a senator for a year then
elected to be the Governor of Idaho for two consecutive
terms.
McConnell served as Indian Inspector and then Inspector of
Immigration Services until he died in 1925.
Throughout his various careers McConnell had created a respectable
name for himself as well as a sturdy savings account.
McConnell and his wife, Louisa raised their five children in the
McConnell Mansion on First and Adams Street in Moscow. Although the
McConnells lost their home during the Great Depression it
wasbequeathed by Latah County in 1966 and declared a museum. The
house remains as a museum to remember one of the founders of the
town.
To learn more on the McConnell Mansion visit the Latah County
Historical Society.
http://users.moscow.com/lchs/mansion.html#mansion
21. McConnells Professional Life
McConnell had many profession throughout the course of his life
time. As he traveled from California to Oregon to Idaho he went
through various trades and professions. Including
22. 23. Miss Anything?
More information on William McConnell and the McConnell- McGuire
Building visit these website:
Latah Historic Society
http://users.moscow.com/lchs/
Moscow Chamber of Commerce
http://www.moscowchamber.com/OurCommunity/History/History.htm
University of Idaho Library
http://www.lib.uidaho.edu/
24. More on First and Main
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