Wow look at this impressive building. This is one of the Waples-Platter Buildings. It’s a piece of Denison Texas history. The Waples-Platter Grocery Company was founded way back in 1871. It started as Hanna Owens & Co. supplying the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad. They were the first wholesale grocery company in Denison.
In 1885 EB Waples became president. That same year they built a magnificent headquarters. Architect P Lelardoux designed a stunning two-story building. It featured cast iron pilasters. Terra cotta lion heads adorned the facade. Keystones and segmented arches completed the look. The elegant building truly symbolized the company’s success.
The Waples-Platter Buildings stood for 128 years. It was finally demolished in 2013. Can you imagine? The company was renamed Waples-Platter & Company in 1887. Their famous White Swan Line of grocery products was launched then. The company grew rapidly. They opened branches in Gainesville in 1890 and Fort Worth in 1893.
Their greatest achievement was Ranch Style Beans. This iconic product launched in 1913. The Waples-Platter Canning Plant made it. Ranch Style Beans are still a favorite today. The company’s Denison operations continued until 1959. The original headquarters was sold in 1941. Waples-Platter moved to an annex building at 110-112 S Houston. They finally moved all operations to Fort Worth in 1959.
This building here though is a testament. It stands as a reminder of Waples-Platter’s legacy. It shows how a small provision company became a giant in the Southwest. The Waples-Platter Buildings represent ambition. It also shows the remarkable growth of a Texas business. So next time you see a can of Ranch Style Beans remember this story. Remember the Waples-Platter Buildings. They represent a piece of Texas history that’s truly worth remembering.