The J.R. Blake Building, shown here in the early 1980s, was once located on College Avenue. (Today a small city park is found on its location.) J.R. Blake operated a drygood store and was an early undertaker. In later years the store held everything from Rose Brothers, Gabbard Furniture Store, Watts & Spencer Funeral Home to several other noted businessess. The old building dated from the first years of this century.