The old building at the intersection of Louisiana, Governor, and Stringtown was situated on a unique corner. The angled building was reminiscent of something on Massachusettes Ave in Indianapolis, and it also gives some insight into the old route north out of town. But before we analyze old maps, let's highlight the history of the former Pfeifer Saloon that was razed yesterday.
Theodore Pfeifer built a saloon at the corner of Louisiana St and Princeton Rd (where Stringtown Rd becomes Governor St). He had some early partners, but he remained with the business for several years. Early city directories also refer to this building as Woodlawn Hall. A saloon operated here for years.
Around 1920 Price E Phillips built a garage at 1112 N Governor St, next to the saloon, for automobile repair.
By 1950 the company had expanded to the old saloon (likely for offices), and P E Phillips & Son specialized in implement/farm equipment sales and services.
P E Phillips engine sales appears to have been closed for several years. The old garage was razed last summer, and the removal of siding and vandalism of the structure hinted that the building's time was up. It did however give a great view of the old brickwork and arched windows/doorways.
The shape of the old building at first glance seems odd until you look at older maps of Evansville. An old 1852 map shows the Princeton Rd connecting straight into downtown Evansville via Main St. I have not found any maps confirming it connected directly, but the angles do line up (see map in slideshow gallery).
In later maps, the angled Princeton Rd did continue south but was pushed back to Maryland. Sometime closer to 1930 the old route extended little south of Missouri St, but the old store kept its contoured walls. Two c1940 houses on the north side of Missouri (where the road used to pass) and a garage on the south side with an angled wall were further evidence of the old route. A new route, the Dixie B Line, (many of us now know as Old US 41) replaced Main St via Stringtown sometime around 1930 as the primary route out of town.
The old saloon was razed unceremoniously Tuesday after standing for more than a century.
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