W. C. Stuart home and businesses snapshot photos, 1930

Containers:

Box 11, Folder 15

Scope and content:

The photos in this folder are as follows:

A snapshot of the Adair-Hutton store building and McCrum building on South Main Street.

A snapshot of the W. C. Stuart home on South Main Street.

Biographical / historical:

W. C. Stuart was a prominent early 20th century resident, civic leader, publisher and book distributor based in Lexington, Virginia. "Cal" was best known for running the local 1890's bookstore located on South Main Street, near the McCrum's drugstore, which became Boley's bookstore in 1914. He was a regional producer of souvenir postcards, frequently partnering with the famous local photographer Michael Miley to distribute scenic and historical prints of Lexington. W.C. Stuart's main commercial building was located on West Washington Street in Lexington, Virginia, positioned directly to the rear of the historical Adair's Store. Stuart also owned commercial and residential interests directly along Main Street, which sat in the heart of Lexington's bustling business district. This property was deeply intertwined with his local book distribution, legal printing, and regional souvenir postcard trade.

The Adair-Hutton department store located just south of the McCrum's building on South Main Street in Lexington, Virginia, operated for approximately three-quarters of a century, from 1902 until at least the late 1970s. The business originally opened under the name Valentine, Newcomb & Crider. In 1907, E.G. Adair and Beulah Hutton took over full local ownership and operations, transforming it into Lexington's premier downtown department store. On December 16, 1949, a massive fire completely destroyed the original store building located at the southwest corner of Main and Washington streets. The store officially rebounded and opened a brand-new, modernized retail building in 1951. The store continued operating as a Main Street staple well into the late 1970s. Historical student yearbooks from local universities like Washington and Lee University confirm that Adair-Hutton, Inc. was still actively purchasing advertisements and serving customers as late as 1977. It closed down shortly thereafter.

The private home of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Stuart was also historically located on South Main Street in Lexington, Virginia. In the fall of 1904, the Stuart home served as the official meeting place where the historic local women's organization, The Ignorance Club, who was later the Women's Club of Lexington, was founded and regularly hosted its first weekly neighborhood study sessions.

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