B. B. Fowler — Paving debate

Dry goods merchant B. B. Fowler, owner of “The Big Store,” weighed in on the debate over whether to pave downtown Glens Falls streets.

“Some years ago, we tried the experiment of paving a small section of Glen Street, and it was very satisfactory,” he said, The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on July 22, 1895. “I would like to see Glen Street, or a portion of it, paved, and then try other streets. The present expenditure on streets would pay the interest on paving bonds, should they be issued. Paving is in line with other permanent improvements, and it is bound to come sooner or later.”

In other B. B. Fowler news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

1882

• “A neat walk of buff terra cotta brick has been laid along the Exchange Street side of B. B. Fowler’s store,” the Glen’s Falls Messenger reported on June 2.
• “B. B. Fowler had plans made for a handsome new front which he proposes to put upon his store next spring,” the Messenger reported on Oct. 20. “It will be of terra cotta and plate glass and will make the Exchange Street building one of the handsomest in town.”

1888

• The Whist Club card-playing group met on Jan. 10 at the home of B. B. Fowler.

1895

• “Hereafter each Saturday will be a gift day at B. B. Fowler’s,” The Morning Star reported on Sept. 11. “Saturday will be known as Electric Day, when every cash purchaser to the amount of five dollars and upward will receive a weekly slip ticket good for twelve rides on the street railway.”
• “If you buy ten dollars’ worth of goods at B. B. Fowler’s next Saturday, he will present to you a year’s subscription to any one of the leading magazines enumerated in his new advertisement,” The Morning Star reported on Sept. 19.
• “Every purchaser of goods to the value of 50 cents (the equivalent of $18.91 in 2025 dollars) and upward at B. B. Fowler’s today will receive a copy of ‘Talks Upon Practical Subjects’ by Marian Harlan,” The Morning Star reported on Sept. 28.
• “B. B. Fowler is putting down a new curbing in front of his residence to conform to the newly established grade on Ridge Street,” The Morning Star reported on Oct. 1.

1925

• B. B. Fowler was elected president of the Glens Falls Savings and Loan Association, The Glens Falls Times reported on Jan. 23.
• The B. B. Fowler store contributed a blanket for the auction at the Fort Edward Knights of Columbus festival and fair, The Post-Star reported on April 27.

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