John B. Roden & Co.

John B. Roden & Co. was a book, stationery, music dealer and jeweler in early Birmingham. His large establishment was founded in 1875 as a book shop. In 1882 it moved into two stores at 1908 2nd Avenue North, then grew with the lease of the adjoining store at 1910 2nd Avenue in 1891.

The expansion housed a complete line of music and musical instruments, specializing in Smith organs and Everett pianos. He took on partner Edgar Welsh of Gadsden and expanded into jewelry and watch sales.

In 1893, after hearing a sermon on the evils of gambling, Roden burned all the decks of playing cards in his store's stock, valued at $200.

References

• Dubose, John Witherspoon (1885) The Mineral Wealth of Alabama and Birmingham Illustrated. Birmingham: N. T. Green & Co.
• The Jewelers' Circular (October 21, 1891) Vol. 23, No. 12, p.36
• The Friend (May 7, 1892) Vol. 66, No. 41, p. 327