First Mercantile Building

As agent for the Port Arthur Land Company, Dutch immigrant G. W. Kilsdonk, Jr., worked to encourage people from his native Holland to settle in this area in the late 1890s. He built a number of businesses to serve the developing community, including a two-story mercantile store at this site. In addition to its function as a supply center, the Mercantile building also served as a community gathering place and meeting hall for many organizations, businesses, churches, and social groups. The original Mercantile building was destroyed by fire n 1909.

First Mercantile Building is a historical marker in Nederland, Jefferson County, dedicated in 1991. It is one of 109 historical markers documented in Jefferson County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 137 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.9760, -93.9912 near Nederland. The nearest cataloged historic site is Nederland (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include First Baptist Church of Nederland, First Baptist Church of Port Neches, and Sebron Berry.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5245010520. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.