This was the showroom for coffins of builder, Edward Kring. Here you would pick out your material and wood for your coffin which would then be custom built. Mr. Kring was probably the busiest builder in Gainesville in the 1870s, building both the Methodist and Episcopal Churches as well as several homes and businesses. It appears that he built a large portion of the businesses downtown based on old pictures. Mr. Kring had a large workshop at the rear of the Coffin Shop and also a large barn or warehouse to store materials.
The Coffin Shop was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on October 29, 1985. It is located at downtown Gainestown, AL on the east side of Highway 39 approximately 0.2 miles south of the river bridge (32°49’17.5″N 88°09’30.0″W – Google Maps).
Sources: 1) Gainesville Tour Guide; 2) NRHP “The Coffin Shop” Form.