William Kesselus, a native of Germany, came to Bastrop in 1853 and established himself as a tailor. In 1891, this building was constructed to replace an earlier frame structure that had housed his shop. After Kesselus died in 1901, his son Will continued the business here until his death in 1919. The building later housed a variety of mercantile establishments and serves as a reminder of the German influence in Bastrop.