The Granite Block

Next to the Odd Fellows Hall is the granite block. Now in ruins the granite block was the center of the town for much of Silver City’s history. The site was first owned by Bart Maize and known as Maize Point. One of the first Wells Fargo branches opened at this site in 1865, which helped finance the development of the granite structures in 1868. 

The granite block included individual buildings and housed many businesses over the years, including drug stores, clothing and jewelry shops. The Big Store, as it was known, also stood on this site just next to the Odd Fellows Hall. 

Champion Hall was on the second floor and hosted many social events, union meetings, and traveling music and acting troupes in the early days of Silver City. You can still see the stairs on the side of the drug store that once led to Champion Hall.

The county purchased the property in 1917 for the sheriff and city offices. The jail cells can still be seen at the back of the ruins.

The granite blocked remained with the county until the county seat moved to Murphy in 1934. Just before and during World War II, the metal in the building was removed for the war effort and the building fell into ruin.