The Story

The Wright-Dalton-Bell Anchor Department Store (W-D-B-A Store Co.) represented the culmination of the Wright-Dalton partnership that began in 1885. In 1894, the store moved to a new four-story building at the corner of Main & Poplar and changed its name to Wright-Dalton-Bell Anchor Department Store.

This impressive four-story building housed one of downtown Poplar Bluff's premier mercantile and department store operations. The store was associated with James L. Dalton, who had come to Poplar Bluff in 1885 to partner with the Wright family in the hardware business.

The store is documented in the 1909-1910 city directory as W D B A STORE CO.

Sources:

• 1909-10 City Directory - https://poplarbluff.org/library/images/city%20directories/1909-10%20city%20directory.pdf
• https://www.krcu.org/education/2023-05-24/james-l-dalton-and-the-dalton-adding-machine-made-in-poplar-bluff

⚠️ RESEARCH NOTE: Information compiled from historical references and city directories. Details are subject to verification and may contain inaccuracies. If you have additional information or corrections, please contact us.