Hurricane cleanup uncovers historic store sign
DERIDDER, La. (AP) — Cleanup operations after Hurricanes Laura and Delta uncovered a bit of city history under a floor in downtown DeRidder.
The American Press reports that crews ripping up damaged flooring at the Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce discovered a subfloor bearing the name of the city’s earliest drug store.
The words “City Drug Store” are now visible in the building’s entryway, spelled out in original hexagon-shaped porcelain tiles facing away from the building’s interior. Beauregard Museum director Elona Weston said news articles indicate the drug store was in operation as early as 1911.
“It was a surprising find to chamber members; we didn’t realize it was there or that this building had once served as the city pharmacy,” chamber executive director Lisa Adams said.
Adams said the position of the words lead her and others to believe that part of the building was actually part of the city’s original sidewalk structure.
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As crews further ripped away the damaged flooring, other words were found in the porcelain tile reading “Kodaks” and “Victrolas.”