People's Supply Company
21950 Broad St., Silverhill, ALthe commercial life and development of rural Baldwin County.
People's Supply is significant under Criterion C-Architecture, as a distinctive expression of free standing gable front store architecture in Baldwin County. With its gable front roof, board and batten siding, wrap-around porch and dormers, People's Supply is a distinctive expression of the free standing gable front store type, of which few survive in Baldwin County. There are only two others, both recorded in the Baldwin County Historic Building Survey in 1986; (BA 2025), a one story frame example in Robertsdale from the turn of the century, and (BA 2066), the Baldwin Supply in Robertsdale, a virtual twin of the People's Supply, constructed c. 1903 by the same person who constructed People's Supply. The free standing gable front store type is characterized by one to two story frame construction with a gable roof. Many examples include display windows, 1/1 double hung sash windows on the second story and a porch. The People's Supply displays all of these characteristics.
During the mid 19th century, central Baldwin County was an undeveloped hinterland with no rail or roadway connections to facilitate its settlement. The area was blessed by a long growing season, however, and it wasn't long before immigrants discovered the cheap land prices. During the late 19th century, ethnic immigrants from the mid-west began to settle central Baldwin County. This process was greatly facilitated by the construction of a rail spur from Bay Minette down to the southern portion of the county in 1905. This spur provided a route of transport for settlers, and allowed for easy marketing of produce. With the construction of the railroad and the development of truck farming, Foley, Robertsdale, Summerdale and Silverhill all benefited and prospered. Though not directly on the railroad, Silverhill was close enough to benefit, and to serve as a center of more remote communities.
In 1890, the Svea Land Company was formed in Chicago for the purpose of colonizing farm land in the South. Lots were sold in Chicago and at the company office in Baldwin County. The town would come to be known as "Silverhill" because local workers at a turpentine still on the site (before its purchase by the Swedes), were paid in silver on a little hilltop. For those interested in locating south, reduced railroad fares were offered and brochures extolling the area were printed in Swedish. "Earn a permanent income," read the brochure, "be independent, enjoy life, provide for yourself and those who are dependent upon you, these ambitions can be realized if you buy lands in Silverhill Land Colony."
Among the first buildings in town was the Svea Land Office, constructed in 1897 (listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985). As the community grew, the land office also served as a school. Very soon, Silverhill could boast roads, the school and land office, a saw mill, farms and a general store (the People's Supply). Withal, by 1910, there were only some fifty residents.
Central to Silverhill's community life was the general store, known as the People's Supply. The property was purchased by Theodore Johnson in September of 1901 from Carl and Hanna Carlson of Chicago. Mr. Johnson then erected the store, with living quarters upstairs. The building featured approximately 2,000 square feet downstairs and 1,000 square feet upstairs. (Interview, Dr. Spalding) Architecturally, the People's Supply is a southern free standing gable front store with board and batten siding and a wrap around porch. Most unusual for this type are the dormers, which provided light and air to the upper story.
Johnson would own and operate the store from 1902 to 1928. During this time he sold everything needed to farm and live in the area, including shoes, clothing, groceries, hardward and feed and seed. The People's Supply acted as a nerve center for the area, and was a popular place to trade gossip and news. Children played on the porch or outside, and if bad, even played craps.
In 1928 the store was run by George Marines, a Greek immigrant who had also been drawn to Baldwin County. In 1947 he would purchase the building. It was then managed for him by Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Chandler, who raised their two children upstairs. The Chandlers would run the store until 1972. It was during their tenure that People's Supply enjoyed its heyday. The inventory was valued at $18,000 and sales were as high as $130,000 a year. Nearly 8,000 pounds of coffee were sold per year. During the Depression the Chandlers allowed hungry customers to buy on credit, sometimes erasing the debts. In deference to Swedish tastes, People's Supply stocked herring and lutefistk (dried codfish) in brine for Christmas treats.
People's Supply served not only the Silverhill community, but farmers and residents alike from the broader rural area, particularly to the west and south of town. Saturday was usually market day, and the store would be crowded with shoppers. As other Baldwin County communities developed and with the improvements in roads and transportation, the importance of People's Supply declined.
Since 1972, there have been seven owners, none particularly successful, despite the addition of gas pumps during the 1980s. Rural convenience stores and supermarkets in nearby Robertsdale, effectively made People's Supply obsolete as a general store. The building stood vacant for several years before its purchase by Dr. and Mrs. Joe Spalding in 1993. They began a major restoration effort, and reopened the building to the public as an antique and reproduction furniture shop in September of 1995.
The People's Supply Company is an important historic building in Baldwin County. Not only is it a distinctive expression of the free standing gable front store type, but it is a rare survival of that type in Baldwin County.
Bibliography
"Svea Land Company Office," Robin Lang. NR Nomination Form, 1985.
Interview, Dr. Joe Spalding, Silverhill. May 11, 1996.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley, which was the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat, was built in Mobile, Alabama in 1863.
In the 16th century, Spanish explorers arrived in the area and claimed it as part of their territory. They established settlements and missions, but their presence was short-lived as the French, British, and eventually the United States asserted control over the region. The county is named after Abraham Baldwin, a delegate from Georgia who signed the U.S. Constitution.
During the 19th century, Baldwin County became an important hub for shipping and commerce due to its strategic location and access to waterways. The towns of Daphne, Fairhope, and Bay Minette thrived as trading centers, attracting settlers from various backgrounds and cultures. The county also played a significant role in the Civil War, with some areas supporting the Confederacy and others remaining Unionist.
In the early 20th century, Baldwin County experienced a period of economic growth and development. The discovery of oil and natural gas reserves in the region brought new opportunities, and agriculture, particularly the growth of timber and citrus, continued to be important industries. The county also became a popular tourist destination, known for its pristine beaches and charming towns.
Today, Baldwin County remains a vibrant and growing community. It is one of the fastest-growing counties in Alabama, experiencing a boom in residential and commercial development. The county's rich history and natural beauty continue to attract visitors and residents alike, making it a desirable place to live, work, and play.
Baldwin County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Baldwin County, Alabama.
- 1800 - Baldwin County was established on December 21.
- 1809 - The county seat was established in Blakeley.
- 1868 - The county seat was moved to Daphne.
- 1901 - The county seat was moved to Bay Minette.
- 1907 - The first Baldwin County Courthouse was built in Bay Minette.
- 2005 - Hurricane Katrina caused significant damage in the county.
- 2010 - The population of Baldwin County exceeded 180,000 residents.