In 1911, John Dodd built what is believed to be the first brick commercial building in the city of Haleyville. The two-story, 10,000 sq. ft. brick building is a locally significant example of an early 20th century department store, and represents the typical commercial development pattern which occurred in small towns across Alabama at that time.
One of the town’s most important events in terms of commercial development occurred in 1914 when Moses Feldman and his wife Fanny Royal, both East European Jewish immigrants, bought Dodd’s building to house their now-historic department store. By the time their son Abe joined the family business in the 1930’s, Feldman’s Dept. Store was known as an institution in this section of Alabama. Most people remember it as the place where they bought their first pair of overalls, jeans and shoes … some of which still survive with their original price tags. The store occupied the entire first floor of the building. The second floor provided office space for Haleyville’s professional and business classes and a courtroom, since the city did not yet have a courthouse. The O.P Drake Cotton Gin Offices were housed here in the early 20th century and its signs are still visible on the doors and a transom. The medical office of one of the first local doctors was also here.
Mr. Harold Bearden, son of the court bailiff, says that in the summer time when court was in session and the windows were open, it was his father’s job to close all the windows whenever a train would pass, so the smoke and cinders would not interrupt the court proceedings. One of the courtroom benches still exists, and is prominently displayed in the upstairs hallway. The building was the pride of the young city. According to existing photos, the building was the center of many of the city’s social activities, including 4th of July celebrations, Christmas activities and important gatherings of local citizens. A Christmas nativity scene was placed annually outside the building, which was very unusual for a Jewish business owner.
Feldman’s Dept. Store is believed to be the oldest brick mercantile building in Haleyville, and one of the very few remaining from the early 20th century to connect us with the history and heritage of our city and county. The building has survived many calamities, such as the fires of years ago that destroyed so many of the town’s historic structures; several tornados, one of which devastated the downtown area; and political actions, such as the city’s unsuccessful attempt to condemn and demolish the building during Urban Renewal. Feldman’s Dept. Store was closed, and the building sold, after the death of the younger Feldman son David in the late 1990’s.
In 1999, the building was purchased and renovated by Haleyville native Dr. Joe Teal and his wife Judy V. Teal (a native of South America and also of European descent) and converted into an elegant site for social events. It seems as though history is repeating itself. Today, the downstairs area of the building is a 5,000 square foot elegant ballroom, which people from as far away as Birmingham rent for weddings, receptions and other special events. In recent years it has also become a host site for outside organizations that come to Haleyville to conduct special business, ie: environmental groups (Conservation Alabama), investigative agencies (the Alabama Attorney General’s office) and TV News media teams (Dateline NBC). The 5,000 sq. ft. second floor has 12 rooms which are utilized by the Teal’s as personal office space, living quarters and a small local museum. The building is now the only privately owned building in Haleyville and Winston County to be officially registered with the Alabama Historical Commission (since 2004) and the National Historical Commission (as of 2009). Recognizing Feldman’s Dept. Store as part of our history, distinguishes it as a successful commercial property and an architectural design of its time that is stronger and of better quality workmanship than many of our present structures. It is a jewel, a proud American Landmark, and an important tool that gave immigrants the opportunity to realize the “American Dream”. |
