DeKalb Oktoberfest working to save iconic downtown building

By Kenny Mitchell

kenny@westbowiepost.com

An icon of the rich history of DeKalb is in need of extensive repairs and remodeling and the DeKalb Oktoberfest Organization is asking the community to come to its rescue.

The Telford/Lindsay Building, located in downtown DeKalb, has stood as a part of the fabric of DeKalb for more than 100 years now.

Local historian and curator of the Williams House Museum, Carolyn McCrary, told the West Bowie Post that she believes the building was built by W.L. Lindsay in the early 1920’s after a fire ravaged most of the buildings on the street in 1919.

In the 50’s or early 60’s, Porter and Inez Lindsay, along with Lindsay and Elza Crump, hosted a grand opening for a dry goods store at the location.

Around 1970, Quincy Telford took ownership of the historic building and operated a furniture and propane store there, that remained in operation until former State Representative Barry Telford and Marsha Telford closed the business and donated the building to a local nonprofit around 2007.

The building is now owned by DeKalb Oktoberfest and they are hosting a fundraiser this year to try and get the much-needed repairs done.

The building is in urgent need of roof repairs to preserve it and ensure its structure remains sound. This year, all proceeds from our Oktoberfest Raffle will go directly toward repairing and preserving this piece of DeKalb’s history.

The organization has made it easy to help with two ways to support the renovations. All of the proceeds from this year’s Oktoberfest raffle will go towards the repairs, and you can also make a direct donation to the effort on the DeKalb Oktoberfest website found at www.dekalbtexasoktoberfest.org

DeKalb Oktoberfest’s Dr. Donna McDaniel states, “When people visit DeKalb, they don’t just see buildings—they see our history, our resilience, and the generations of families who built this community. After the tornado, we lost many of the historic structures that helped tell our story. The Lindsay/Telford Building is one of the few remaining reminders of that history, and if we lose it, we lose another piece of who we are. The DeKalb Oktoberfest Committee has always believed in investing in our community. For the past four years, we’ve given back more than $25,000 annually to local nonprofits, school organizations, community projects, and student scholarships. That has always been our mission, and it will continue to be. Today, however, we are being called to do something more. We have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to save a building that has stood through generations of change and has become a symbol of our downtown. Preserving the Lindsay/Telford Building isn’t just about restoring a structure; it’s about preserving the memories, character, and heritage of DeKalb for our children and grandchildren.”

McDaniel concluded by saying, “We hope people will continue supporting DeKalb Oktoberfest 2026 through sponsorships, attendance, and volunteerism. We also ask those who love DeKalb—whether they live here now or simply carry DeKalb in their hearts—to consider contributing to the restoration effort. Together, we can continue giving back to our community while ensuring that one of its most treasured landmarks remains standing for generations to come.”