Building History

The actual timeline history of the McClellan’s store itself is elusive. It first appears on the Sanborn Insurance Maps of Washington, NC in 1917, listed as a 5 and 10 cent store. A Nationwide former employee’s group of the McCrory/ McClellan’s chain reported that it was in operation into early 1990. During that period, the store survived a bankruptcy, a major fire and an acquisition.

 

  • 1917 Listed as a 5 and 10 center store on Sanborn Insurance Map
  • 1956 Destroyed by Fire and rebuilt
  • 1958 Acquired by mcCory Stores
  • 1970 New front brick facade
  • 1990 Reopened / Multiple small business occupancies (1990-2013)

On Saturday January 7, 1956 McClellan’s Department Store is destroyed by fire in freezing weather. The fire alarm was sounded at 8: 12 Saturday night. Fanned by winds estimated at 25 miles per hour and working in bitter cold weather with the temperature getting as low as 18 degrees, firemen fought the blaze all night. Ten firemen were overcome by smoke and first aid was rendered while several firemen were slightly injured. About 10,000 feet of hose was used to carry water to the fire. McClellan’s was a total loss. The stock of merchandise lost was around $100,000 and the building itself was valued at $300,000.*

The Store was rebuilt following the fire, and in the 1970’s a new front brick facade was added. The McClellan’s chain was acquired by McCory Stores in 1958 and it became McCory /McClellan Store #402 until it closed in the 1990’s it operated as, and is still to this day referred to as McClellan’s. Many long time residents fondly remember the creaking hardwood floors, shopping trips for special gifts, the model airplanes and ships, and of course the smell of popcorn.

Since the closure of McClellan’s the building has been home to several businesses, including: KidKushion, a manufacturer of Child Safety Products, a Furniture Store, a dress shop and Ruth’s House Antiques. The Building became vacant in 2013 and remained closed until acquired by the WHDA in 2017.

Chris & Nancy Furlough

Phillip & Nan Miller

Lewis & Sarah Sloan