Situated on the last of the public square lots sold in January 1857, this site was where the Great Fire of 1860 originated. After Mr. J.M. Smoot's store was reduced to ashes, the site became home to a large dry goods store and later housed several business firms, including one belonging to J.M. Blount, one of Denton's most prestigious businessmen and elected officials. The brick building at the 101 site was constructed around 1880, making it one of the first brick buildings in Denton. These two buildings were joined in the 1920s, giving the appearance of a single structure. In September 1994 another fire razed the structures on both lots.