The Building We All Knew Called F. G. Lobbans

The Building We All Knew Called F. G. Lobban's

The Aldersonian - July 12, 2020

Special thanks to Marjorie Lobban for the history information.

In 1872 the C & O Railroad was completed in Alderson. At the time Alderson was farm land but soon became a thriving business center because the area now had both the railroad and a ferry to aid transportation. Captain John G. Lobban, having served in the Confederate Army, came to Greenbrier County about the same time.

There use to be a building most of us knew as F. G. Lobban's. To attempt to tell the story of Lobban's store starts interesting enough with the building. In 1880, Enoch Smith constructed a two story building on Railroad Ave and the second floor was used for the town hall while the other parts were used for the town's various lodge meetings. Town Hall was the scene of many famous political meetings and other public gatherings and the history of Alderson is closely entwined with that room. Also the Town Hall was used as a movie house, and many old-time shows such as "Silas Green's Minstrels" and other traveling road troops of the era have been presented there.

Captain John Lobban founded his business in this building with his two sons, Floyd and John under the name of the Lobban Brothers, a furniture store and undertaking establishment. (This was an interesting combination of businesses to say the least.) In 1912 Floyd purchased the interest of the others and operated it until his death in 1937. After his death, his wife continued to operate the business with her sons, Floyd G., Robert B., and Charles L. Lobban.

In 1942, Floyd G. purchased the interest of his brother Charles L. and Charles established Lobban's Funeral Home on South Monroe Street where it operates today. Floyd G. continued as owner and manager until his son, Charles M. became the manager in 1957, becoming the fourth generation that managed the business.

It was decided to remodel the old building and the Housby Brothers were hired for the job, which began September 18, 1958. Occupying two floors and covering more than 8000 square feet the store had departments for furniture, household appliances and accessories. (The second floor containing the town hall and movie house, were long gone and was now being used for storage for the furniture store) There were also departments for a display of linoleum and used appliances, along with space for the office and bookkeeping.

The second floor was also remodeled by removing a partition making one large room. This room held one of the largest toy displays in Greenbrier County at Christmas time. Before the remodeling a large model electric train used to be displayed in the window of the first floor which was always a favorite of the kids. The toy section was behind the model train display, on the right side of the building. Grand opening was held on November 21st and 22nd of November 1958.

Years later The F. G. Lobban Company was heavily damaged by fire and the building had to be torn down. Four generations of one family who carried on a business for a century should have had a better ending, but it seems to be the way of most businesses in small towns when they get old and the world gets to sophisticated and passes them by.

Comment Form is loading comments...