Communities of long ago: Commercial center was named after a baby
A village named Alvin served settlers in northwest Marion County from 1899-1942.
In 1899, George Keso of Carlton opened a small general store and post office in Logan Township.
The trading post didn't have a name at first. When three babies were born in the community, customers were asked to select from among the babies' names for a name for the store.
They chose Alvin, after Alvin Unruh, who became a longtime resident and land owner in the community.
Added to a general store and post office were a cream station, blacksmith shop, shoe repair shop, oil business, and auto repair garage. The general store remained in existence the longest. It was operated until 1942, when its inventory was moved to a store in Tampa.
(Source: Marion County Past and Present, by Sondra Van Meter, 1972)
