Simpson Building

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Now, some buildings just stand there. They hold up a roof, they keep out the rain, and that's about all they've got to say for themselves.

And then there's the Simpson Building in Quanah, Hardeman County, and friend, that one has a story worth telling. It starts with a man named L. Simpson, who came up through the lumber trade the old-fashioned way, earning it.

He managed the Cameron lumberyard right there in Quanah, then moved on to serve as a general manager in Waco. Now, you might think a man who'd already made good in Waco would stay put. But Simpson had unfinished business back in Quanah.

In 1906, he started his own lumber company and came home. Then, just four years later, in 1910, he made his mark permanent. He had a three-story commercial building constructed right there in town, with decorative brick detailing and a corner entry that said, plain as anything, this is a serious building put up by a serious man.

His offices went in, naturally. But Simpson wasn't the type to let two floors sit idle. Other local businesses moved in over the years, and starting in 1920, the corner drug store took up residence and held that spot for a remarkable stretch, all the way until 1998.

Up on the top floor, the Elks Lodge made its home. Three stories, three purposes, one building doing more than its share for the life of a Texas town. The Simpson Building is considered a significant part of Quanah's architectural heritage, and standing there on that corner today, with its brick details still doing their job, it's easy to see why.

Some buildings just keep their word.

What the marker says

After serving as manager of the Cameron lumberyard in Quanah and then as a general manager in Waco, L. Simpson began his own lumber company and returned to Quanah in 1906. In 1910, Simpson had this three-story commercial building constructed to house his offices; other local businesses, including the corner drug store from 1920 until 1998; and the elks lodge, which occupied the top floor. Featuring decorative brick detailing and a corner entry, the Simpson building is a significant part of Quanah's architectural heritage. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2001