Narrative

Since opening in 1874 a Dry s Cobb’s Store and owned by the Cobb family for nearly 70 years, this location at 160 W. Main Street has been a general store under various names and operators, and is now the Lewisville Playhouse, serving generations in Lewisville’s vibrant downtown. The original wooden building was replaced in 1902 by the current brick structure.

Cobb's Store

160 W. Main Street
1874 - Henry Cobb opens a general merchandise store in a wooden building
1894 - Calvin Cobb, his brother, purchases the business and runs it for three years
1897 - Calvin’s sons, John H., James S., and T.W. come from Tennessee and run Cobb’s Store
1898 - inventory sheet uses the name Cobb Brothers
1902 - frame building is torn down and a brick building is constructed
1911 - manager John C. Cobb dies, and T.W. Cobb takes his place
1919 - advertisement uses the name Cobb, Sherrill & Cobb
1922 - manager T.W. Cobb dies and John’s son, Joe C. Cobb, takes his place
1934 - Joe C. Cobb buys out the rest of the family to obtain full ownership
1946 - business is sold to Elmer Williams

Cobb’s Store opened as a general goods merchant in 1874 at 160 W. Main Street, on the south side of the street between Poydras and Charles. Ownership remained in the Cobb family until 1946 although the store name changed several times. The original wood building was torn down in 1902 and replaced with a brick building that still stands today as the home of Lewisville Playhouse. The store was sold in 1946 to Elmer Williams, who renamed it and operated it into the 1960s. The building has been home to Lewisville Playhouse (formerly Greater Lewisville Community Theatre) since the 1990s.

Elmer Williams Store

Owned by Elmer E. Williams
160 W. Main Street

Formerly Cobb’s Store; purchased from owner Joe C. Cobb in 1946
Originally called The Williams Store