Welcome to our next History Hotspot on our Historic Walking Tour of Downtown Rockdale. Following are some fascinating stories about Main Street and Bell Avenue in historic Downtown Rockdale which houses some of the oldest buildings in town and is steeped in local history and tradition. 

Dating back to the 1885 Sanborn map this location was annotated as a Blacksmith and Wagon Shop. The 1891-1912 maps show it as a Blacksmith and “Wheelwright” .. which is someone who repairs wooden wagon wheels.  The 1925 map shows this location as a Garage, which was home to Henry’s Garage

The garage was owned and operated by the legendary Rockdale businessman and civic leader E. E. “Buck” Henry for an impressive seven decades. Henry’s Garage was more than just a place to get your car fixed; it was a social hub where townsfolk would meet, chat, and exchange the latest news. During a time when automobiles were becoming increasingly popular, having a reliable mechanic like Buck Henry was essential. His garage offered not only repair services but also a place for the community to bond over their shared interest in automobiles and their experiences on the road.

Today we know this building as the East Bell Taphouse. This modern incarnation retains the building's tradition of being a community gathering spot. The East Bell Taphouse offers a wide selection of craft beers, wines, and delicious food, making it a popular destination for both locals and visitors. Its transformation into a taphouse reflects the changing tastes and trends over the decades, yet it remains true to its roots as a place where people come together to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

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Located just to the North is the Kay Theater, a cherished institution in Rockdale. This theater opened its doors in 1947 and quickly became a central hub for entertainment in our town. 

In 1947, E. L. Bryan and the Foy Arrington Family purchased a surplus military Quonset hut, one of thousands of all-purpose metal buildings made during World War II. This hut was transported to Rockdale and became the core of what would be the second movie theater in town. Local carpenter Jack Kyle, Sr., with the help of several Rockdale High School students, directed the construction of the sloping style Kay Theater, named after the Arringtons’ daughter, Katherine.

Construction of the Kay Theater was completed just in time for a Thanksgiving 1947 opening. At the dedication ceremony the following night, Postmaster Clyde Franklin served as Master of Ceremonies, and Mayor J. B. Newton introduced the film "Rolling Home," starring Russell Hayden, Jean Parker, and Raymond Hatton. The theater boasted large box fans, making it one of the few air-conditioned locations in town, which was a significant draw for residents. Mr. Arrington managed the ticket booth and operated the projector, while his wife oversaw the concessions.

The Kay Theater closed in 1962 and remained vacant for many years. But the story doesn’t end there. In 2004, a group of concerned citizens formed The Friends of Kay Theater Foundation with the goal of buying and revitalizing the downtown theater. In 2006, the Noack family generously donated the property and structure to The Kay Theater Foundation. After extensive renovations and restorations, the theater reopened in 2010 and was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission in 2013.

Today, the Kay Theater is the last remaining theater in Milam County and stands as a reminder of a time when going to the movies was a significant cultural event. Once there were hundreds of repurposed Quonset hut theaters across the county .. now only TEN still actively show movies .. with The Kay being the ONLY one in Texas!  The Kay once again serves as a vibrant community center, hosting special events, weddings, music and theatrical performances, and movie screenings.

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Across Main Street from The Kay Theater, we see what was once the Piggly Wiggly, the first self-service grocery store in Rockdale. It might look like just another building now, but this place holds a significant spot in our town's history. Back in the early 20th century, grocery shopping was a very different experience from what we know today. Imagine going into a store and handing a clerk your shopping list. The clerk would then gather all your items while you waited. It was a slow process, and you didn't have much control over picking your products.

All that changed in the 1930s when the Piggly Wiggly came to Rockdale. This store introduced the self-service concept, a revolutionary idea at the time. For the first time, customers could walk through the aisles, pick their own groceries, and even compare prices. This was a significant shift from the old “general store” model, where customers had limited interaction with the products they were purchasing.

The Piggly Wiggly not only changed the shopping experience but also influenced the layout of grocery stores. Aisles were designed to guide shoppers through the entire store, encouraging them to see and potentially buy more items than they had initially planned. It was a smart business strategy that benefited both the store and the customers.

Today, this historic building serves a different purpose. It’s now called the One Stop, and it houses various county-related functions, including the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) offices. These offices provide vital support to families, ensuring they have access to nutritious food, health care referrals, and nutrition education. It’s fitting that a place once dedicated to revolutionizing food shopping continues to play a crucial role in supporting the health and well-being of our community.

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On the SE corner of Bell and Main, we see buildings which have housed many businesses.  Many remember it as home of the City Food Mart, Orsags, the Andrew Noack Store, and more.  The Backhaus Brothers Grocery also operated for many years in this section of buildings.  In 1932 the Backhaus Bros hosted a packed street party with a band celebrating becoming an I.G.A. Store.  

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At the SW corner of Main Street & Bell Ave is a building once referred to as the Ferrari Building. Constructed during Rockdale’s early days by Max Ferrari in 1876, it has seen numerous incarnations, each one contributing to the vibrant commercial life of Rockdale. This building's journey, as well as others on this block, is a testament to the adaptability and resilience of our local businesses.

Maps dating back to 1891 list a Chinese Laundry, Wheelwright, and even a Music store in 1901. In 1906 and 1912 one building is labeled “Photo” leading us to believe that it may have been the location of John Scott’s Studio.  Many photographs of the time were by Scott. It is said that one of the center buildings housed Philips & Luckey Funeral Home in the early 1900s, until it relocated to the lot behind The 1895 City Hall (block at SE corner of Burleson St & Bell Ave).

One of the earliest photos of the Ferrari building on the SW corner shows it to be Maxie’s Sweet Shop. Both the 1906 and 1912 Sanborn maps label this space as a Confectionary. Maxie’s Sweet Shop was a favorite for many, known for its wide array of candies, ice creams, and desserts. It became a go-to spot for satisfying sweet cravings and enjoying a bit of nostalgia with classic confections.

The 1925 Sanborn Map labels this space as “Moving Pictures” indicating a movie house. In an era when cinema was the new and exciting form of entertainment, this theater was a central hub for the community, much like the Kay Theater was decades later. Families and friends would gather here to watch the latest films, sharing in the communal experience of movie-going that defined the early 20th century.

As the years went by and the entertainment landscape changed, the building transitioned into the Oak Leaf Bakery in 2019. This transformation marked a shift from entertainment to culinary delights, as the bakery quickly became well-known for its delicious baked goods, sandwiches and soups.

Newly remodeled as a restaurant space, this building is poised for yet another transformation. This renovated space offers new opportunity to serve Rockdale’s growth and desire for a fresh culinary experience and dining atmosphere. The transformation from a sweet shop to a restaurant highlights the evolving tastes and needs of our community while continuing the tradition of being a gathering place for friends and family.

As you stand here, think about the many different experiences these buildings have offered over the decades. From the magic of the silver screen, the love of music, to the comfort of freshly baked bread and the joy of sweet treats — Downtown Rockdale and its buildings have continually adapted to serve the community’s needs.