The two story brick commercial building was constructed in 1891 at a cost of $8,500.1 It is comprised of four separate storefronts.
The city directories list the tenants of this building as:
18922
505- Lampe & Schmitt (Merchant Tailors)
507- Bekerman Bros. (Cigars and Tobacco)
509- White House- Tate Roan (Groceries)
511- White House- Tate Roan (Groceries)
19033
505- Louisiana Gas and Electric Light Co.
507- Bekerman Bros. (Cigars and Tobacco)
509- Haines, Rupert, and Co. (Grocers)
511- Haines, Rupert, and Co. (Grocers)
19064
505- John W. Fritz (Real Estate and Insurance)
507- Bekerman Bros. (Cigars and Tobacco)
509- WA Martin and Sons (Grocers)
511- WA Martin and Sons (Grocers)
19115
505-John W. Fritz (Real Estate and Insurance), 505 ½ Mrs. Lilly Ebenezer (Residence)
507- H.W. Tramp (Harnesses)
509- B.A. Pappenfort (Grocer)
511- B.A. Pappenfort (Grocer)
19376
505- Davis Benning (Lawyer)
507- Dr. J.C. Gillam
509- Spears Shoe Shop, The Model Cleaners
511- DeVyne Beauty Salon
It was originally occupied by many different merchants and professionals. It may have served as Louisiana’s first “mall”.
A picture of the building taken between 1892 and 1900. The building was home to a barber shop, The White House grocery store, Bekerman Brothers Cigars, Fry and Paul Tailoring, Martin Carr Tailoring, and a branch office for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Corporation.
507 Georgia:
Bekerman Bros
Bekerman Bros cigars and tobacco occupied 507 Georgia from 1891 through at least 1906 where they engaged in the manufacture of cigars. “… for many years the firm of Bekerman Bros. was one of the important industries of this city and conducted a large and prosperous cigar and tobacco business, both retail and wholesale. Two of their brands “C. H. B.” and “Joe Bowers” were well and favorably known, both far and wide.” 7
The Bekerman Bros are John (1858-1926) and Charles (1852-1922). John and Charles Bekerman are the sons of John and Dene Bekerman immigrants from Germany and Prussia who settled in Louisiana in 1856. John and Charles also had three sisters, Julia A. (1855-1921), Lizenia (1861-1941) wife of John W. Fritz, the owner of this building and Laura (1864-?).
507 1/2 Georgia Street:
509-511 Georgia Street:
W.A. Martin and Sons Grocery
These photographs of W.A. Martin and Sons Grocery, which occupied 509 and 511 Georgia, were taken some time around 1906 when they opened at this location.
