Sprague River Variety

BLOCK 11, LOT 5

April 30, 1937: "Miss Dorothy Upp opened a news stand in the building north of the Ideal grocery last Friday. Besides newspapers and magazines, Miss Upp will carry carry a stationer's line and candy." (The Klamath News)

November 16, 1937: "The apartment being constructed by Miss Dorothy Upp at the rear of her business establishment is near completion." (The Evening Herald)

September 8, 1938: "Fire, originating in an outhouse behind a hotel, spread rapidly in a high wind and virtually demolished the business section of the town of Sprague River late Wednesday. The buildings razed by the fire included: A news stand operated by Mrs. Gene Merritt (nee Dorothy Upp). (The Klamath News)

September 30, 1938: Dorothy Merritt recorded the deed for Block 11, Lot 5 for property purchased from Western Cities Company. (Klamath County Clerk's Office Records)

February 23, 1942: "The second main street business transaction within the last three weeks took place last week when Mr. and Mrs Frank Reynolds and son purchased the Sprague River Variety store from Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Merritt.

The Merritts have been in business here since 1937 and were well known in this area. Mrs. Merritt formerly operated a newspaper and magazine store which was wiped out by the fire in 1938. The Merritts then joined in partnership with A. L. Book to build and operate the Ideal department store. Last year Merritt sold his interest to Book and opened up a variety store. Recently Merritt was offered a position in Klamath Falls which prompted him to sell his store here.

The new owners are well known here. Mrs. Reynolds was postmaster at Sprague River for several years and before that, operated the newspaper and magazine store which was purchased by the Merritts. The Reynolds plan to operate the store along the same line as before.

Mrs. Gladys Passolt has been hired as clerk for the store until Reynolds, who is now in the northern part of the state, comes to Sprague River later in the spring." (The Evening Herald)

January 29, 1945: "Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Ortis have moved to the apartment in the Variety store." (Herald and News)

June 7, 1945: "Mrs. Andrew Ortis has returned from Portland where she had been for several days buying for the Sprague River variety store which she owns." (Herald and News)

January 27, 1947: "Variety Store stock and equipment for sale in Sprague River. Write or telephone, Sprague River." (Herald and News)

February 21, 1947: "Mrs. Andy Ortis and Dibbon Cook are remodeling the Sprague River Variety store." (Herald and News)

June 7, 1947: AD: "SPRAGUE RIVER VARIETY STORE--Merchandise and equipment cheap if sold immediately. Write Box 176. Sprague River." (Herald and News)

January 28, 1950: "Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Jenkins and family who have made their home here for the past year and a half where they operated the Sprague River Variety store have moved to Chiloquin where they will make their home." (Herald and News)