THE HISTORY OF THE HARDWARE

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The store is comprised of 3 separate buildings. The eastern most structure, 135, was built in the 1860s and has been home to a flour / mill store, bakery, furniture store (that sold caskets, too), bowling alleys and saloons, a garage, pharmacies and an antique / gift shop prior to being purchased in 2009 and connected to the central hardware building. In the past 3 years, the building has seen the drop ceiling removed, exposing the original 14 foot high tin ceiling. The carpet has been removed to expose the 6" thick maple flooring as well as the penny tile entrance from 1925. The raised floor and bulkhead where the connection to the main store has been removed as well, offering barrier-free access between buildings. New lights have been installed.   

The current middle building (139) was built in 1865 and housed various businesses in 2 storefronts. The Marshall Statesman newspaper was located on the third floor from 1867-1874. In 1887 both storefronts became the Udell Implement Store. In 1940 Kendall purchased the building to the west (141) and expanded the hardware store. 1951 saw significant remodeling where the portico with columns & arches along the storefront were removed and replaced with larger show windows. The bulkheads over the show windows have been removed, exposing the remnants of the arches which have been partially 're'painted. New shelving and lights have been installed.

The current west building (141) was built in 1867 and was the location of the Deluge Fire Company No. 1 (which had been at this location since 1855). The Town Clerk occupied the front half of the second floor and the back half was where the horses were stabled. When the Fire Department moved to the remodeled City Hall by the fountain in 1930, the bell that had been on the roof was moved to the front lawn where it rests today. A garage was then located in the building until it was purchased by the hardware store in 1940. The front was remodeled in 1951 along with the middle building. The hole in the ceiling where the fire pole was still exists.

Building history and Historical photos courtesy of Richard Carver's book, "The History of Marshall", 1993.