Building Name: Holman Building

Address: 509 N. River St.

Date Built: 1901

First Occupant: 4/1/1904 - The Holman block was sold last week to John Stetter for $5000, The Eureka Saloon.

Current Occupant: Morning Sunshine Cafe

Sandstone Quarry: Burke

Architect: S. Holman

Contractor: S. Holman

Architectural Style: Appears to be the last Richardson Romanesque influenced building erected in town. The round arched windows are indicative of this style that was popular from 1870 to 1900 Another important quality of the building is its well-preserved storefront and cast iron columns. The latter element, although popular in the East, is one of the few examples of this materials in Hot Springs.

History:

8-24-1900: Weekly Star; The stone for the foundation of the Holman building has been hauled and the mason work will begin this week or next. On account of the new building being erected by S. Holman, south of the Evans, the drive way from the kitchen of the Evans has had to be changed. A culvert has put in just above the old one. There is but a slight change.

12-4-1900: Weekly Star; Mr. Holman is using Burke stone for the front of his new Building.

4-19-1901: Weekly Star; Mr. Holman has again begun work on his stone block, just below the Evans, and proposes to prosecute the work as rapidly as possible.

6-07-1901: Weekly Star; S. Holman expects to have the lower part of his stone block completed and ready for occupancy in a short time. He has not yet rented it though he has one or two propositions. It is a fine location.

7-12-1901: Weekly Star; The stonework on the Holman block is about complete and has a very pretty front.

8-16-1901: Weekly Star; The stone work on the new Holman building, just south of the Evans annex, is completed, and the work of finishing the interior will now be pushed.

10-11 -1901: Weekly Star; Mr. Holman has not rented his fine new stone building, although several parties are considering the matter.

4-01 -1904: Weekly Star; The Holman block was sold last week to John Stetter for $5000. Mr. Holman has since purchased the Reynolds cottage near the Clifton house, (note - Lot 5, Blk 5 - Minnekahta Addition)

1-04-1905: Weekly Star; John Stetter has advertisement for the Eureka

4-07-1905: Weekly Star; Charley Stabler and B.C. Beershave bought out the Eureka saloon from John Stetter.

11-15-1906: Weekly Star; George Heller and George Hanson purchased the Eureka saloon.

11-12-1912: H.S. Star; The Hot Springs Studio on Minnekahta Avenue into the hands of H.B. Stevens, the well-known picture man. He is remodeling and putting it into shape preparatory to furnishing with the very best up to date work.

4-25-1913: H.S. Star; Mrs. Herman B. Stevens, who has for some time been the secretary-stenographer for the Dr. Nichols Sanitarium, has resigned her position and joined the staff of the Hot Springs Studio, which is owned by Mr. Stevens.

5-01-1914: H.S. Star; Advertisement for Hot Springs Studio.

6-04-1915: H.S. Star; John Stetter has Eureka saloon in the Holman block

10-29-1920: H.S. Star; Eureka to move to the Jensen building 1-27-1921

6-20-1946: H.S. Star; J.W. Snyder, Jr. purchased Stevens Studio from H.B.Stevens. Stevens moved to the former Highley Drug building.

11-21-1946: H.S Star; Braghammer opened a sporting goods store in the old Stevens Studio block.

1953: H.S. Star; The Hot Springs Studio on Minnekahta Avenue has gone into the hands of H.B. Stevens, the well known picture man. He is remodeling and putting it into shape preparatory to furnishing the public with the very best up to date work.

1967-2003: Donnell’s Mini-Mall and Arts Store. Beulah Donnell was actively involved in every level of the arts, bringing art of every kind to the people of Fall River County. She and her husband Art were the instigators of what is still an annual summer event, Festival In The Park, and created the original Save Our Sandstone Group to save the Wesch-Oak building in the early ’90's. Upon their passing in 2001 and 2003, the building passed to their son (one of 6 children) Andy and his wife Cindy who gutted and renovated the building over the next 3 years.

2007-2015: Renamed The Blue Bison after the blue bison sculpture mounted on the top corner of the roof. The upstairs continued as an apartment and the store level became an Ice cream Parlor, eventually adding food to the menu.

2015-2020: The building sold to Sunshine Hyatt who started Morning Sunshine breakfast and lunch cafe.

2-28-2020 - Present: Sold to Good Karma Couture LLC who continues The Morning Sunshine Cafe eatery.

QR Code info: The Holman appears to be the last Richardson Romanesque influenced building erected in town. The round arched windows are indicative of this style that was popular from 1870 to 1900 Another important quality of the building is its well-preserved storefront and cast iron columns. The latter element, although popular in the East, is one of the few examples of this materials in Hot Springs.