MIDDLE SCHOOL'S HISTORICAL SURVEY
By MARCUS SHEPHERD, ZACK ARMITAGE AND DOMINQUE MCGAHA

Bargain Alley is located at 111 S. Rusk St., top and above the store still has some unique markings from the past.

Have you ever thought about what a certain place in downtown Kilgore looked like before you were born? If you have, I've got answers for you.

Our Building to research was Bargain Alley located at 111 S. Rusk. The owners name is Jennifer Blakeley.

Before Bargain Alley was Bargain Alley, it was a church and before that it was a Goodwill. A fire happened in the church because of a wire shortage. Luckily it didn't burn the whole place, only most of the upstairs. After the fire Blakeley bought it and fixed it up. She began on January of 2004 and ended November of 2004.

Inside of the building there are maze like walls. The outside has three Bealls Brothers marked on the ground. there's only two stories, but nine rooms. Blakeley now uses the upstairs for storage. She says she has plans for it though. She wants to make it bigger and better. The foundation is built on concrete block, the roofing is made of asphalt shingles and the exterior walls are made of brick.

MARCUS SHEPHERD, ZACK ARMITAGE AND DOMINIQUE MCGAHA

So the next time you drive by Bargain Alley, you'll know its history and you might want to step in and take a look at what she is selling. I promise Jennifer will be happy to see you.

Texas history students of Dana Sneed, Maude Laird Middle School, researched the oldest of Kilgore's downtown buildings. Some of their reports will be published in coming weeks.