Built

1924

Original Occupants

Colony State Bank
Doctors Office Drug Store

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The Fred Kauger Building, is being renovated by Mayor Lonnie Yearwood, councilmen Ron Lowry, and Raymond Epperley with the help of Martin Pitman. When it was first built, it served as the Colony State Bank, which later moved to Weatherford by the Johns family, and became the Security State Bank. It also contained the offices of Dr. C. B. Sullivan, and later Dr. E. E. Darnell and the town drug store. Operators of the drug store have included: Horace King, Tom Clancy, Herman and Geneva Bottom, Henry and Lucille Simmons, Mon and Pauline Harris, and Ola Mae and Whetsel Rhodes. After the bank moved, a barber shop was opened by Grover Ainsworth. Later, a beauty shop was housed in the building and operated by Louise Rogers. At one point, an airplane was stored in the building. Then, Cinda Barnes ran a flower shop. In 1993, Sandra Dickerson opened a dress shop, and W.C. Sellers set up a law office.

Now, it has been turned into the Mayor’s office, a B&B, studios for the artists in residence, and a small museum to exhibit Colony’s history. Patrick Riley, winner of the Governor’s Arts Award, and Jim VanDeman, great grandson of Black Beaver, and former Vice Chief of the Delaware Nation, Eric Tippeconnic, and Ron Lowry are the current artists in residence.

So far, we have made major structural improvements including, a new roof and new windows as well as removing a large tree that was affecting the foundation of the building