Zeigen Store, circa 1903

As you probably already know, in the next few months we will move the Main branch library to a new building. I was asked by my boss last week to help her identify some of the priceless items in Special Collections that needed to be hand carted to the new library. In my nosing around, I found a photocopy of an issue of the Monroe News Illustrated Magazine. I found no date on it, but the News published around the turn of the last century. I found some interesting photos and decided to share one.

George Zeigen served in the Spanish American War and moved to Monroe shortly after. He sold the above business in 1911 and went into the oil and gas business. He loved aviation and was the first in the area to own a plane. He is buried in Riverview Cemetery. I am not sure where the above business was located, but on the 1903 Sanborn map there is a gun shop located at 317 DeSiard Street.