Kouvelis Fine Candies


	The Kouvelis Story Do you remember when San Angelo had Sam's Candies? In 1929, the Crystal Confectionery on Chadbourne was started by Michael and Bill Michalopulos. In 1944, Sam Kouvelis joined Bill Michalopulos in the business. Several years later, Sam Kouvelis started his own candy shop, Sam's Candies, at his home on Freeland Street. Throughout his career, he was distinctively known around the state for his quality divinity candy, pecan clusters and peanut brittle. After more than thirty years, we are bringing back his candy as Kouvelis Fine Candies because we know your heart's delight. History of San Angelo, Texas San Angelo had originally been named after the wife (or some say the sister-in-law) of Bartholomew DeWitt. Mr. DeWitt had bought the 360 acres opposite Fort Concho for $1.00 per acre. The town had been spelled San Angela but that spelling was rejected by the postal authorities for its "ungrammatical construction". They would accept either Santa Angela or San Angelo and so the city fathers chose the easier-to-pronounce San Angelo. San Angelo grew as a direct result of its proximity to Fort Concho. The town was a pretty rowdy place, and so was the fort. But Fort Concho's post hospital (built in the 1870s) served as the city hospital until St. John's Hospital and Health Center was constructed in 1910. Five miles away from the fort - a rival town was prospering and indeed, it became the county seat. But the town, later to be named Ben Ficklin was washed away in an 1882 flood. Ben Ficklin's colorful story is worth reading. After the courthouse at Ben Ficklin was swept away, San Angelo became the logical choice for the county seat. Shortly after the flood, Oscar Ruffini showed up and asked if anyone needed a courthouse. They did. Ruffini had been sent west for his health and ended up outliving his "healthy" brother by decades. He stayed in San Angelo and made it his home, dying in the late 1950s. He is said to have contributed more than 40 buildings to the city - some of which are still standing. Between Oscar and brother F. E. - the Ruffini Brothers dotted the Texas landscape with courthouses, jails and durable structures from McKinney (The Collin County Prison) to the Concho County courthouse in Paint Rock. San Angelo has always had a diverse economy. It developed a sheep raising industry in the 1870s and the railroad came through in 1888. Oil discoveries helped and in 1940 Goodfellow Air Field was developed, which later became Goodfellow Air Force Base. San Angelo, Texas Links Texas Links

The Kouvelis Story

Do you remember when San Angelo had Sam's Candies?
In 1929, the Crystal Confectionery on Chadbourne was started
by Michael and Bill Michalopulos.

In 1944, Sam Kouvelis joined Bill Michalopulos in the business. Several years later, Sam Kouvelis started his own candy shop,
Sam's Candies, at his home on Freeland Street.

Throughout his career, he was distinctively known around
the state for his quality divinity candy, pecan clusters and
peanut brittle.

After more than thirty years, we are bringing back his candy as Kouvelis Fine Candies because we know your heart's delight.

History of San Angelo, Texas

San Angelo had originally been named after the wife (or some
say the sister-in-law) of Bartholomew DeWitt. Mr. DeWitt had
bought the 360 acres opposite Fort Concho for $1.00 per acre.
The town had been spelled San Angela but that spelling was
rejected by the postal authorities for its "ungrammatical
construction". They would accept either Santa Angela or
San Angelo and so the city fathers chose the
easier-to-pronounce San Angelo.

San Angelo grew as a direct result of its proximity to Fort
Concho. The town was a pretty rowdy place, and so was the
fort. But Fort Concho's post hospital (built in the 1870s) served
as the city hospital until St. John's Hospital and Health Center
was constructed in 1910.

Five miles away from the fort - a rival town was prospering
and indeed, it became the county seat. But the town, later to
be named Ben Ficklin was washed away in an 1882 flood. Ben Ficklin's colorful story is worth reading.

After the courthouse at Ben Ficklin was swept away, San Angelo became the logical choice for the county seat. Shortly after the
flood, Oscar Ruffini showed up and asked if anyone needed a courthouse. They did.

Ruffini had been sent west for his health and ended up outliving
his "healthy" brother by decades. He stayed in San Angelo and
made it his home, dying in the late 1950s. He is said to have contributed more than 40 buildings to the city - some of which
are still standing. Between Oscar and brother F. E. - the Ruffini Brothers dotted the Texas landscape with courthouses, jails and durable structures from McKinney (The Collin County Prison) to
the Concho County courthouse in Paint Rock.

San Angelo has always had a diverse economy. It developed a sheep raising industry in the 1870s and the railroad came
through in 1888. Oil discoveries helped and in 1940 Goodfellow
Air Field was developed, which later became Goodfellow Air
Force Base.

San Angelo, Texas Links

Texas Links