Carl Dice Grocery and Alstine & Company Drug Store

Creator

Preview

Source Collection

Source Collection: University of North Alabama Archives and Special Collections, William Lindsey McDonald Collection - Volume 12, "Lauderdale County Businesses," Collier Library

Identifier

P12-27 A

Description

1894 photograph depicting Carl Dice Grocery and Alstine & Company Drug Store on East Tennessee Street in Florence, Alabama.

The supplemental source written Sept. 3, 1997, by Col. William Lindsey McDonald indicates more details about the history of the Carl Dice Grocery.

Transcription

1894 PHOTOGRAPH OF THE CARL DICE GROCERY AND THE ALSTINE & COMPANY DRUG STORE BUILDING ON EAST TENNESSEE STREET (present location of Studio 124)

This early Florence photograph was made in 1894. It shows the isolated two story building which is now the location of Studio 124. Next door is a small barber shop.

Carl Dice was a native of Sturgis, Michigan. In 1894 he established a grocery store on East Tennessee Street in Florence. Dice was also an investor in railroad and steamboat lines. While in Florence he served one term on the City Council and was President of the Improvement Association.

In 1895, Horaca P. Lucas of Florence, who had worked as a clerk for Dice, became his partner in this store. Lucas soon acquired the entire business at which time Dice moved to Michigan where he established stores in Monroe and Wyandotte, Michigan.

In 1918, Lucas established the H. P. Lucas Wholesale Company, which became one of the largest of its kind in Florence. During his youth William C. "Billy" Handy who became known as the "Father of the Blues" drove a delivery wagon for Lucas.

Horace P. Lucas was born in 1870 in Grand, Tennessee. At an early age he moved with his family to Green Hill in Lauderdale County, Alabama. He attended the Florence Normal School which is now the University of North Alabama. Lucas served a number of years as Chairman of the City Board of Education, was a director of the First National Bank, and one of the leading members of the Poplar Street Church of Christ. Lucas was married to Janis Moore of the Mars Hill Community. Their daughter, Mollie, was married to Julian Nance of Florence. Lucas died in 1932.

Date Created

12-1-2025

Date

1894

Rights

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