Meet W.A. Jones ... William A. Jones, real estate developer, businessman and half of the duo of Murray and Jones who had a vision for what they called "The New Center" at the cross section of 10th and J. Streets in Downtown Modesto.

Reported by the Modesto Morning Herald on June 16, 1911, W.A. Jones retired from the Sunset Land Co., leaving principles J. W. Corson and W.R. Neil to continue its operation.

He joined forces with Charles E. Murray (I wish I could find his photo) and the real estate firm of Murray and Jones began. Two days later, on June 18, 1911, The Modesto Morning Herald announced in the headline, "BIG BUILDINGS TO BE BUILT AT TENTH & J".

In other newspaper articles, which we will feature and write about in the future, Murray and Jones visioned buildings on all four corners in what they called "The New Center".

Their first project, mentioned above, was for 1001 J. Street. Their second project was the newly named Murray and Jones, Est. 1913 building at the south west corner of 10th and J. On Friday, February 21, 1913, The Modesto Morning Herald headline announced:

"FINANCE BUILDING PROJECT - Murray & Jones Obtain Money for Two-Story Structure at Tenth and J Streets."

The article read this way ...

"The realty firm of Murray & Jones has obtained from the Bank of Sonora through the firm of Campbell & Molye the money necessary for financing the proposed building at the Southwest corner of Tenth and J streets the announcement of which was made in the Herald a month ago.

The structure will have a frontage of 50 feet on Tenth street and a depth of 140 feet on J street. It will be of two stories and a brick structure. The lower floor will be fitted for two stores on Tenth street and four stores facing J street. The second floor will contain three suites of offices and six apartments.

It is estimated that the building will be completed within three months."

I've read where the total cost to construct the building was in the neighborhood of $30-35,000. Today? The permit cost alone would be that!

Visit our History Blog often as we write more about both Charles Murray and W.A. Jones ... two of Modesto's early visionaries who made the corners of 10th and J Street what they are today.