History

Brief History

Known Timeline

1927

Construction

Although not much history is known for the building at this time, it is known that the building was constructed as a one story structure this year. The only known resident of the building was Dr.Hopper, doing dentistry work.

1929

Starting Improvments

The original building was tore down. Construction of the new building with a 2nd and 3rd stories began. It is believed Hopper still held business there around this time, however it is possible that White House Grocery starting selling goods out of the Miller building.

1931

Completion

It is assumed that the 2nd and 3rd stories were completed this year. The local elks lodge chapter inhabited the top floor, and continued to meet there for quite some time. It is also assumed that Barney's Pharmacy opened up around this time.

1935

Miller's Retirement

Mayor Miller retires from his firm located in the Miller building, assumably to focus on politics and other works within the town. Around this time, Maxwell's Pharmacy moved into the 1st, 2nd, and 2rd rooms of the building with Dr. W. M. Long offering his drugless treatment. There is a clipping in the Borger Daily Herald which mentions the Elks obtaining a neon sign which was displayed on the outside of the building. No images or reference of the sign is known (yet).

1938

Expanding Business

Thompsons Pharmacy opens within the Miller Building, offering a variety of over the counter goodies popular to the era. In the book The History of Hutchinson County, The Cartwright family talks about their business 'Cartwright's Ready-To-Wear', located within the building, operated by Bessie Cartwright.

1939

Rotograph Photography

The Rotograph Photographic Studio, originally based in San-Antonio, finally established a studio within the Miller Building after visiting Borger for quite some time. The studio was ran by E. J. Grey.

1940

Interesting Story

Although not a lot is known about this year, there is an interesting story given in the Borger Daily Herald. Back in the 30s, a man, sponsored by Jaycee’s, scaled across the Panhandle Power Light building, across to the Miller building on a tightrope. The crowd was stunned as the man grabbed a highschool girl (Frances Butts), and carried her on his back as he made his way across.

1941

Business Expansion & Major speeches

Sometime this year, Dr Lewis N. Pittman started doing oseopathic medicine practice within the miller building. Another resident, H. W. Walters, began doing insurance agency work within the building. A major event that occured in Borger this year was the speech gave by Gerald C Mann, the attorney general of the state. He was announcing his plan to run for the US senate, as well as a bill he plans to propose to congress with the goal to end strikes in defense industries. He called out President Roosevelt and demanded until a bill like hgis is passed, he should 'use his emergency powers to see that the wheels of industry continue to turn'.

1943

Dr Stanfill

Around this time, Dr. H. R. Stanfill began chiropractic and naturopathic practice within the Miller Building.

Historic Newspaper Gallery

Below are a few newspaper clippings mentioning the Miller Building from the historic Borger Daily Herald and Hustchinson County Herald (Stinnett)