Linden: History as wonderful as the town

The city of Linden has a long and wonderful history. Adding to its unique history is that the town has had quite a few musicians of note hail from the town. Linden’s rich history, the talented musicians who got their start here, and the beauty that this small town has to offer could be many reasons the residents are working so hard to revitalize the beautiful downtown area.

Indeed, as one drives or strolls through downtown, they are apt to see that some buildings are in various states of restoration. One building in particular, on the corner of Houston and Main which recently received brand new windows has an interesting history.

This building, known to the town as Linden Drug was built in 1916 and was originally owned by two lawyers, who called the building the George-Bartlett Building after themselves.

In 1919 the building was purchased by Dr. Davis Sr. who turned it into Linden Drug. Dr. Davis Sr. had his office upstairs where patients could see him, and then head downstairs where his son, Dr. Davis Jr. was working in the pharmacy on the first floor to get any prescriptions filled. An interesting thing to note is that during prohibition, Dr. Davis Sr. would write patients prescriptions for medicinal whiskey and then send them down to his son to have it filled. From 1919 through most of the 1920s, the good Dr. Davis shared the building with the notable Congressman Wright Patman who had his law office there.

As an outsider digs into the history of Linden, they will probably find that it so much more than the talented musicians, and the standard histories of many small towns in Texas; A history that is as wonderful as the town itself.