Built by local businessman Anson King in 1898, this building replaced an earlier wooden structure that was destroyed by fire that took out most of the south side of the Washington Square in 1898.  It was the tallest commercial building on this side and boasted being made of unusual and more expensive yellow brick. It originally housed Slaton-Green Drug Co. on one side and Wooten’s Dry Goods on the other.  Though one building, it was divided into two separate stores. The evidence can be seen downstairs in the difference in the two types of original tin ceilings in the current store as well as a divided dirt basement. This building’s most significant and interesting aspect is that it, and the Simpson Building next door, were constructed by local African-American contractor, Edward Bonner, a little over 3 decades after the Civil War. The upstairs consisted of office space and was the first space of Optometrist Dr. Bill Brannon.  Please see the original doors that were from Dr. Brannon’s first office in the 1940s. Blackmon’s Department store was located downstairs from 1931 until 1991. Many local family members remember wrapping gifts upstairs and using the space as store storage.  The building was eventually purchased and renovated by Rita Bell and her husband who spared no expense upstairs.  A sunroom and 800 square foot rooftop deck were added after blowing out the back wall of the building.  Notice the leaded glass in the bedroom allowing light to shine through from the sunroom. These replace the original windows in the back of the building prior to renovation.  All fireplaces and mantels are original to the upstairs and fitted with reproduction coal grate gas inserts from local company Grate Fires. Transoms are original as well as many of the doors. The kitchen ceiling is made from wainscotting that was originally along each wall upstairs. The floors are original as well as the general layout of the main space.  One interesting thing is that the large sofa in the dining room had to be lifted in by crane in the back of the building while the brick wall was still open to the elements. It will be here until it falls apart since it is too big to be lifted through any doorway. The Bells also had an elevator installed which is for homeowner use only.