The first mercantile building in Pampa was constructed in 1902 by John F. Johnson of Canadian. The Johnson home in Canadian was an outstanding two story brick home especially noted
for Mrs. Johnson's paintings. Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. H.E. Hoover were sisters and Mrs. J.A. Chambers.
In 1885 Johnson came from his native Tennessee to Kiowa, Kansas, where he soon entered the general merchandising
business. He and his brother-in-law H.E. Hoover, were operating a store in Kiowa at the same time the Southern Kansas R.R. was being constructed across the Texas Panhandle. Johnson followed the railroad by opening
stores in Woodward, Indian Territory, and in Higgins, Canadian, Miami and Pampa.
Johnson bought 12 lots on 25 foot frontage (Block 15, Lots 13-24). These were the first lots sold for business purposes in Pampa. The
Johnson Mercantile Company store, located at 105 North Cuyler, is said to have housed "everything from lockets to caskets." Its valuation of $10,000, as recorded in the Gray County Commission Court Records, 1,
p. 51, indicated that there was a sizeable amount of merchandise.
Postmaster Thomas H. Lane became district roadmaster for the railroad on April 22, 1902. The post office was moved from his home to the Johnson
building and John F. Johnson was appointed postmaster on September 18, 1902. After Johnson declined the appointment, Bruce Waterfield was appointed postmaster on November 22, 1902.
The Johnson building also housed an
office of the law. Presumably this was first occupied by T.J. "Tom" Crawford, Jr., the first sheriff of Gray County, Crawford took office on August 3, 1902, 55 days after the county was organized. He was adept
with a branding iron as well as with the shooting irons of his trade.
Some of the first dances in Pampa were held at the Johnson building. Later the building housed an undertaking establishment and the First State
Bank (First National Bank) when it was first organized. Some of the early denominational churches met in the building before they acquired buildings of their own.
At Christmas time decorated Christmas trees were kept
in the Johnson building. Just before Christmas men took turning plows around the streets and laid out fir trees around all the blocks. Then they held services in the schoolhouse.
J.N. Duncan, who came to Pampa
in 1906, bought the Johnson Mercantile Company and the name of the building was changed to J.N. Duncan Hardware and Furniture.
The second store in Pampa, also built in 1902, was Harland and Crump at 101 North Cuyler.