The Kress Stockholders built a hotel on the east side of Main Street in 1908. Mrs. Brown was the first to operate it. Others who operated it through the years were the Bagleys, Skipworth, Kerr and Pyles. Pyles moved it to the west side of the tracks in later years. The Kress Stockholders also built the telephone office and lines in 1909, operated by the Overleys. Some of those who later operated the telephone system were Skinner, Joe Deen, J. P. Martin and V. J. Edwards. The Mid-Plains Telephone Co-op was started in 1953 but didn't take over until 1957.

The Farmer's State Bank was organized in 1900. The first officers were: F. 1. Skipworth, President; Frederick Rousser, Vice-President; Cashiers, Mac Dozier, D. M. Woods, Jim and Tom Skipworth.

The first elevator was operated by Mr. Bradenbaugh and Mr. W. A. Porter.

The first school in Kress was built in 1907. It had two rooms downstairs and an auditorium above. It was located about where the high school now stands. The first teachers were Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Harrison and Miss Jo Skipworth. School didn't go by grades or ages but more according to the judgment of the teachers.

The first contractors and carpenters were Morton and Paget. The first house to be built in Kress was that of Frank Moore in 1906. It burned in 1971. Jim Skipworth's house was also built in 1906. It blew away in the tornado of June 9, 1941. The oldest house standing is the J. C. Bagley house where H. W. Roden now lives.

The first dray wagon was operated by Bob Moore and later by Arch McDaniel.