Glass built the Rock Store from locally quarried sandstone and hand hewn timbers. Also referred to as the Glass Mercantile building, it first served as a general store. Over the decades, a variety of businesses occupied this space such as a general store, a feed store, a meat market, and even the local Post Office. The Chappell Hill Historical Society acquired the Old Rock Store in 1969. It was in
very poor condition. Since then, the Chappell Hill Historical Society renovated the building and put it to use as a meeting hall. The board still meets there every month. The chief attraction at the Old rock store is the wall hangings. The wall hangings show the history, flora, and fauna of Chappell Hill. Some of the local fauna includes
armadillos, ducks, coyotes, and a snake. Also depicted are a number of historic homes throughout the community, as well as historic churches. Twenty-five local women worked over the course of two years, 1971—1973, to create both hangings, each measuring six feet by thirty feet. Each panel is put together with a technique called appliqué, which attaches a piece of fabric, embroidery, or item onto a larger piece of fabric to create an image. Each color of the image uses a different type of fabric, and a variety of textures add an interesting effect to the overall piece. One of the women who worked on the hangings was Ruth Spain. She was the first president of the Chappell Hill Historical Society, and a talented artist. The Chappell Hill Historical Society Museum has a few of her works, including another appliquéd piece and a couple of paintings. The women created the individual pieces at home, and then gathered to assemble them in place at the Rock Store. The Rock Store is open every Bluebonnet Festival in April, on the Fourth of July for the parade, and during the Scarecrow Festival every October. It is where visitors can find the festival t-shirts and posters. It also makes a nice place to come in and sit a moment while browsing the vendors. If you would like to see the Rock Store, tours can be arranged by contacting the Chappell Hill Historical Society. The Rock Store can be rented out as a venue for hosting receptions, meetings, reunions and other special occasions. Often couples getting married in the Providence Baptist Church rent out the Rock store for their reception or rehearsal dinner. The venue holds about 40-45 people, and has some kitchen facilities. It is furnished with round wooden tables that seat approximately four or five people each.
