McCoy's Market and Hotel

When Charles McCoy built this building in 1941 it housed a market and dance hall on the first floor and a few guest rooms on the second floor for travelers. The guest rooms were eventually turned into apartments. The dance hall didn't last long because the guests apparently became a bit too rowdy. At some point a few tourist cabins just across the street were built to accommodate more guests.

The building was built at the time the U.S. Army was building Fort Fort Leonard Wood was just being created about 7 miles away. McCoy was able to hire workers from the fort project to help construct this building. Because housing on the base was in short supply many of the construction workers rented cabins or sleeping rooms in Devils Elbow.

This was also the post office from 1941 until it moved to the then new Miller's Market next door in 1954. "Jiggs" Miller, owner of the new store, was McCoy's son-in-law.

Photo(s): 2016