Dismuke Storehouse
Also known as: Minyard's Store
Why it's listed
Built in 1899 by carpenter Joseph H. Dismuke, this wood-framed corner store at Lee and Ashby Streets in Americus combines a hipped roof, a recessed front porch and weatherboard siding that give it a residential look. Inside are two commercial spaces, a barbershop and a cafe, with living quarters once at the rear. Dismuke sold vegetables and baked goods there. In 1922 John Minyard bought it and ran a grocery and a cafe that became a well-known place for music, dancing and socializing in the local African-American community. Seasonal farm workers and domestic workers also gathered at the corner to be picked up for work. A barbershop was added late in the historic period and keeps an early mirrored furnishing with marble counters. The building was moved back 20 feet in 1987 for road widening and is the only historic building left at the intersection. It is recognized for its architecture, commerce and Black ethnic heritage.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites it as an intact turn-of-the-century residential-style corner store and as a Black-owned commercial and social gathering place. It housed a grocery, cafe, barbershop and dance hall serving Americus's African-American community. It also retains a historic barbershop fixture and most of its original features.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 96000247, listed March 7, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 505 N. Lee St., Americus |
|---|---|
| County | Sumter County |
| Listed | March 7, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000247 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1899-1945 |
| Architect / builder | Dismuke, Joseph H., builder |
| Architectural style | No style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce, Black |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Vacant at the time of nomination; the owner hoped to reopen it for business. Moved back 20 feet in 1987 for road widening and damaged in the July 1994 flood. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.07739, -84.23216 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 96000247.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q134457700
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.