Known to WISAARD (see below) as
The Fountain, this false fronted wood frame building is one of the lucky ones which happened to be built a block south of the block of buildings which burned in 1917. The name,
The Fountain, came about from its having housed a soda fountain for as long as half a century, under several different owners, from the 1930s to the '70s, and likely beyond. Its resume also includes shoe store, meat market, restaurant and, quite probably, saloon.
Though the historic marker bears the date
1917, that doesn't seem to be terribly relevant as, according to WISAARD, below, construction of the building would likely have begun shortly after the tent store on the site was burned in 1899.
The Commercial Building, AKA The Fountain, is site 20 on the Town of Republic
Walking Tour.
Text from the marker follows.
Commercial Building 1917
Has served many functions including Walter's store. Most popularly known as "The Fountain". Building still retains original façade.
Site 20