Historical Landmark Burns

One of the oldest, most historic buildings in downtown Warren was lost Tuesday morning, December 1st to fire.  The alarm was received around 2:00 A.M. and was responded to by the Warren Fire Department.  Due to the size of the building and the location, assistance was requested from neighboring cities and the Bradley County Rural Fire Department.  Bradley County Rural and Star City were able to help.

The fire engulfed the two story building and appeared to start in the northwest portion of the second floor.  The cause remains under investigation.  Fire fighters did a great job in protecting buildings on the south and west sides of the structure and kept the blaze from spreading.  There was reported some smoke in neighboring buildings and minor damage to a vent on the roof of The Eagle Democrat building.   The fire was brought under control around 5:00 A.M.  There were no injuries. Crews remained on site as a precaution of possible reignition.

This historic building is owned by Jeff Goad, who operated "Words on a Shirt"  at the site.  Mr. Goad was notified of the fire and was present as the firemen fought to control the intense fire.

The building was constructed in the very early 1900's and was originally a grocery store.  The meat storage area was in the west end of the business.  In 1921, the two Martin brothers purchased the building and opened a clothing store.  The Martins had begun their business in 1904 on the site next to what is now Gannaway Drug Store.  Martins would remain in the building until 2005.  Three generations of the Martin family operated the store,   Warren Mayor Bryan was the last of the family to manage the business, doing so from 1971 to 2005.   At that time he sold the store and the building prior to being elected Mayor of Warren.



Martins' was a favorite shopping site for quality clothing and had some notable clients from outside of Warren including Congressman Mike Ross.  When President Bill Clinton was the Governor of Arkansas, he attended the Tomato Festival and tried his best to win the tomato eating contest.  After getting his fill of our favored fruit, he became sick and needed a new shirt before attending the All-Tomato Luncheon.  He turned to Martins' to get a new shirt.  The story goes that Clinton had not traveled with money, and that Bryan Martin gave the shirt to him.

The upstairs consisted of a number of offices that served a variety of purposes over the years.  For many years, Mrs. Sangster, the mother of the late Gerard Sangster, worked upstairs as a seamstress. She provided alterations for Martins'.  Also working as a seamstress in the building was Ouida Ferguson.  When Mrs. Sangster retired, Ms. Ferguson took over the Martins' work.  According to Mayor Martin, a pulley system allowed Martins to send cloths upstairs for alterations, and to be returned, without anyone having to walk up or down the stairs.  There was no elevator in the building. Another business in the upstairs was the medical practice of Dr. Rufus Martin.  He was the great-uncle of Mayor Martin.

It is interesting to note that Mrs. Sangster was a native of France, having met Mr. Sangster during World War I, and returning to the United States with him to live and raise a family.  Gerard Sangster became the President of Warren Bank and Trust Company, and his brother Ernest was a major figure in the forestry department of Potlatch Corporation.