This stone portal was discoverd on a downtown side street, in Eskridge, Kansas.
I may be mistaken, but I believe this is the first store constructed in the town, around 1881. The only Earl I find in the 1907 Eskridge business directory is “W. H.” who “sells everything”. The front of the building is now a liquor store.
Wm. Earl kept a stock of general merchandise from the time the town first started. He was not only the first merchant in Eskridge, but he has been in business longer than any merchant in the county.” source: – Business directory and history of Wabaunsee County pub. by The Kansas directory company of Topeka, Kansas, 1907
The east, front face of the building has a gorgeous Butter-Krust Bread mural. You can see it here.
I gave the picture some tilt because, visually, it isn’t that interesting. But it does have character and history.