Swezey & Newins Department Store
Swezey & Newins Tower Looking West
Swezey & Newins Department Store (1 West Main Street) got its start in the Fishel Building in 1894. When 27-year old Arthur Swezey was fired from his job at Hammond-Mills for saying he wanted to own the store, he and Fred Newins opened Swezey & Newins Department Store across the street.
The Fishel-Swezey building was Victorian Second Empire architecture complete with 3-story tower, mansard roof and rounded windows in the cupola. Emerson Terrell built it in 1869. Owner Smith W. Conklin added a large clock to the tower in 1914. After a 1946 fire, Swezey’s was remodeled minus the clock tower and third floor. For decades, Swezey’s Department Store was the place to shop for quality goods and clothing.