On Monday, Sept. 8, one of Hesperia’s oldest downtown commercial buildings was demolished, over 155 years after it was constructed. Time and decades of neglect contributed to the building’s demise, as the roof was collapsing, and it had been considered blight by the village.
According to the Hesperia Centennial 1866-1966 book, the two-story commercial building was constructed in or shortly before 1870. Occupied by A.C. Eldridge and later Russell Bush and Son (H.K.) Hardware. The stock and business were purchased in 1913 by Charles Anderson and Guy W. Husband, who later expanded with a new brick building to the north in 1920-21.
“In the year 1883 the State Legislature passed an act which authorized Hesperia to become a village. The first village election was held in the H. K. Bush Hardware Store on May 15, 1883.”
The hardware later became Husband & Turple and finally Turple Hardware until the second generation of Turples retired in 2018. The building sat vacant for many years, as only the brick building was utilized. The buildings were purchased in 2018 for an antique & curio store and earlier this year for a church. However, only the brick building was still being used by both owners.
Christine Turple remembers sneaking into the building as a child and exploring the upstairs. The floors were shaky and there were some broken boards. “The building has a lot of history. I'm sorry to see it fall, but the new owners promise to put that space to good use. It can only make downtown Hesperia a better place.”
The current owners, Revive Life Community Church, plan to create a green space with a garden area and fire pit for community gatherings. They also hope to incorporate the old barn on the back end of the property into future plans. “We are committed to adding beauty and safety to our community,” Sara Richards from Revive Life stated. “We kept our word to the community, and we want to see it thrive.”
