Building Collapses & Shuts Down Traffic around Square-More Photos
October 14th, 2009 by Joe BurgessThe back section of the former Thrifty Chicks, also known as the old Tree-0 and Apples & Amens building collapsed, shortly after noon, Tuesday afternoon, likely under the weight of heavy rain.
Monticello Police and Fire Units responded, and Drew County Deputies also assisted.
The front of the top floor was reportedly being used as an office by Judge Clifton Bond, a retired attorney and judge.
Centerpoint energy was also called to the site to turn of the natural gas supply, which was smelled immediately after the rumble of falling bricks came to an end.
The building collapse was covered on TV by KATV-7 and KLRT-16, who used photos provided by MonticelloLive.com
Channels 4 & 11 were also reported on the event.
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there goes a part of history, the rest of the building owners on the square should probably be concerned, maybe not today but in the near future.
I have noticed a large crack for several years on the west side across from City Hall. Hope someone looks into that.
Wow. How many times have any of us walked in that building or driven through the alley? I hope that no one was hurt.
was anyone hurt?
would like to thank Mayor Joe Rogers, Chief Rosegrant, City of Monticello Police and Chief Faulkner, The Monticello Fire Dept, The State Highway Dept., Centerpoint Energy and Entergy employees for their response today after a portion of my buiding collapsed. I am extremely thankful that no one was injured or killed. To my business neighbors and citizens of Monticello who are inconvenienced by the street closure, I will try to move as quickly as possible to resolve the problem. My heart goes out to Judge Bond; he has officed in the buiding since 1959. Thanks again to our emergency responders. Leslie McKiever
makes you wonder how offten these old buildings get inspected
What a loss. We really need to protect and perserve our history.
This building was the old Fish Drugstore. With some great stories to tell. Bear Bryant worked there when he attend College at A&M, as did Sammy’s dad. Mr. Fish encourged lots of young men to get their education and gave them a job, while attending school. I wish Ms. Thelma Gissen was still here to tell us of the stories of this Great old Building Which was her fathers store. Also Billy Hunter had a Drug Store on the Corner. Please let us take care of the buildings we have left. I know that is what Leslie wanted to do, was to save this building. Thanks Leslie for trying.
Connie
This building also was a drug store when W. J. McKiever was in the 9th grade and worked in the store and Mr. Cruce was the Pharmacist and the store and Mr. Cruce made him choose Pharmacy as his profession. The building was bought from the jewelry store by Dr. Randy McKiever and later Leslie bought it from him. It means a lot to our family and we wish all of the history of Monticello could be saved. It is well worth saving. All the buildings used to be two story until a fire was in the Monticello
Drug and destroyed the upper stories that are missing. Let’s work to save this building. You might want to look at my website
mckieverrealty.com for some current pictures of this building, just made this summer. It is a stately old building of beautiful architect. We need to preserve everything we can so that Monticello will be remembered for being a beautiful well kept town.
Just look at the old homes on South and North Main St. that have been improved. I have sold several, some more than once and they just keep getting more beautiful. I am proud of the home owners that have made this happen. Our community is our town. We have to be there for everyone to help because as people improve their homes it improves our town for everyone.
LaNell
I would like to thank Connie Mullis for her kind words about Fish Drug Store. Dudley Fish was my dad and he worked there for his father when he was young. Daddy became a pharmacist and owned Central Pharmacy in Pine Bluff. He died in 1972 and our dear aunt, Thelma Guissen just passed away a couple of weeks ago. I had not ever heard the stories Connie shared so I was delighted to learn another part of our family history. Monticello is a charming town and I have many cherished memories of visits to see my grandmother, Jesse Fish and my mom’s aunt and uncle, Rebie and Hardy Lambert. Although we were saddened by Aunt Thelma’s recent death, being together with loved ones and meeting new cousins (Aunt Thelma’s great grandchildren) was a special treat.
we have such a nice old time smalltown square when you step in them its like going back in time not long ago i was in discount furniture and was upstairs and looked out a window over the square it was beautiful. its was sad to see this building fall, I hope it dont happen to anymore. but in all fairness with this much rain all structures young or old are subject to problems, cuz they just dont make stuff like they use to. my heart goes out to all the people with emotional conections and physical ties such as judge bonds to this building.
i seen this on tha news that building was right beside james gathins cars i hope they didnt get messed up i want that white camaro haha btw wen i get my truck tell james i want to race him