The history of the building at 200 Market Street in Winnsboro, Texas, spans from the late 19th-century "Bowery" era of saloons and shootouts to its modern role as a center for local culture.

The Saloon Era (c. 1900–1910)

Built around 1900, the structure originally housed the Massel Saloon during a period when the street was known as "The Bowery".

• Atmosphere: The saloon was a gaming parlor that offered free cigars to patrons to compete with neighboring bars.

• The Bud Taylor Incident: On a Saturday afternoon, a "hot-head" named Bud Taylor lost all his money in a game of chance at the Massel Saloon to the two Pyne brothers. After drinking "red-eye" whiskey, Taylor shot both brothers and successfully evaded a pursuing posse by swimming across the Red River while holding his horse's tail.

• Ownership Change: In 1909, the saloon was acquired by Bob Taylor, described as a law-abiding businessman who was not involved in illegal activities.

Transition to Market Street (1910–1945)

After saloons were voted out in 1910, the "Bowery" name was replaced by Market Street to shed the area’s "bad word" reputation.

• Restaurant and Hardware: Bob Taylor converted his saloon into a successful restaurant for several years. Over time, the building also housed a hardware business that sold harnesses and saddles and provided shoe and boot repairs.

• The Snow and Hawkins Era: By 1920, Judge A.A. Snow operated a large grocery and hardware store at 200-202 Market Street, leasing the 200 building from Lillie Burkett. In 1930, Leroy Hawkins took over the grocery, which locals called the "Union Store".

Mid-Century Commerce (1945–1990s)

The building continued to serve as a hub for local agricultural and retail needs:

• Grocery Chains: The space was occupied by a succession of grocers, including Son Calhoun Gro. & Mkt., Jim Herlocker’s Piggly Wiggly, and M.J. Peterson Grocery.

• Retail and Antiques: In 1980, a Dollar Store occupied the premises. By the late 1990s, it had become Darlene’s Antiques.

Winnsboro Center for the Arts (2001–Present)

The building’s modern chapter began with a vision to transform the historic space into a cultural landmark.

• Acquisition: In 2001, Al Stillman purchased the structure (previously owned by Joe and John Leaton) with the intent of establishing an art center.

• Renovation: Following extensive renovations, the building was reborn as the Winnsboro Center for the Arts (also referred to as the Trails Country Center for the Arts).

Current Use: It has served as a venue for both youth and adults to engage with the arts, providing what local historians describe as "intellectual stimulus" to the community.