Old-Fashioned Country Stores
"There are more ducks killed around the stoves on the dry goods boxes at the customary haunts of local nimrods every evening between seven and nine-thirty o’clock than are slain in twenty-four hours along the Illinois River from source to mouth. Unless the legislature puts some restriction on this method of wholesale slaughter, the time will soon come when there won’t be any duck-shooting stories to tell – that anybody will put any confidence in."
– Correspondent in news notes to the Carrollton Patriot
The American landscape, particularly during the colonial era and the burgeoning years of westward expansion, was dotted with a unique establishment: the old-fashioned country store. These stores, born out of necessity, served as vital lifelines for pioneers and settlers residing far from the established urban markets. Imagine a time when venturing to a city for supplies was an arduous journey, often spanning days. In this context, the old-fashioned country store emerged as a beacon of commerce and community.
The proprietors of these essential establishments often began their careers as itinerant peddlers, traversing the countryside with wagons laden with goods. These resourceful individuals, through shrewd business acumen and sheer perseverance, accumulated enough capital and inventory to establish permanent stores. They strategically positioned themselves in settlements where a clear need existed, and the prospect of profit was promising. Some were particularly adept at identifying rapidly growing areas or bustling crossroads, recognizing the potential for success. This was particularly true in boomtowns like mining camps or railroad towns.
In many cases, the "peddler" and his "store" would move along to the next booming community if and when the boomtown and its profits declined. In many instances, the old-fashioned country store would be the first business in a new settlement, and sometimes, the town itself would take its name from the store itself. This was not necessarily because the area residents wanted it that way. When the number of residents in the area grew large enough, the post office was generally located in the General Store. And who was the potential postmaster who requested a post office and name? – The proprietor of that very same establishment. Sometimes, the owner was also the town clerk, served as Justice of the Peace, or even an undertaker. The multifaceted role of the store owner underscores the importance of these establishments in the fabric of early American settlements.
Beyond simply providing essential goods, the old-fashioned country store played a pivotal role in the social and civic life of rural communities. They acted as unofficial community centers, "exchange banks," message boards, and even political forums. Walls and doors served as makeshift notice boards, displaying announcements of local events, elections, auctions, and even "wanted posters" for outlaws, contributing to the sense of community and shared information.
While each old-fashioned country store possessed its own distinct character, certain architectural and design elements were consistently present. The front of the store was often adorned with tin signs advertising various products, such as tobacco, cigars, soft drinks, and hardware, creating a vibrant and eye-catching display. Double doors, typically opening inward, welcomed visitors, while windows showcased an array of notions, jewelry, and other items intended to attract female customers. Displays of tools and boots catered to the male clientele.
Stepping inside these stores was akin to entering a time capsule. The interior was typically dimly lit, with long counters stretching across the space and rounded glass showcases displaying prized merchandise. The walls were lined with shelves, drawers, and bins, creating a labyrinth of goods. From the ceiling hung an assortment of items, including buggy whips, horse harnesses, lanterns, pails, and ropes, further contributing to the store’s eclectic atmosphere.
Produce, nuts, beans, and nails were stored in bins, typically positioned on the floor or against a wall. The shelves, in contrast, held a diverse collection of goods, ranging from food and fabric to sewing supplies, household items, soaps, medicines, spices, crockery, dishes, cartridges, shells, and small farm implements. The absence of side windows, a common design feature, contributed to the dimness of the interior. In many stores, the post office was discreetly tucked away in a corner or at the rear, further solidifying the store’s role as a community hub.
The countertops served as both a workspace and a display area. Here, shoppers would find stacks of overalls, denim and khaki pants, candy jars brimming with tempting treats, and various tobacco products. Essential tools of the trade, such as a cash register, a coffee mill, scales for weighing groceries and nails, and a wrapping paper unit with string attachment, occupied prominent positions. The countertops were often crowded with merchandise, leaving just enough space for transactions and the wrapping of purchases.
The heart of the old-fashioned country store was undoubtedly the pot-bellied stove. Surrounded by a couple of chairs, a coal bucket, and the ever-present spittoon, it served as a gathering place for locals to exchange stories, discuss current events, and simply enjoy each other’s company. A checkerboard, often placed atop an empty nail keg, provided a source of entertainment and friendly competition. The narrow passageways between the floor-to-ceiling shelves were often lined with barrels containing a variety of goods, from pickles and crackers to potatoes, mincemeat, and an assortment of candies.
The old-fashioned country store typically occupied a two-story frame building, often painted white and fronted by a raised porch. The porch served as a convenient loading and unloading area and a social gathering spot during warmer weather. Men would congregate on benches, chairs, or the steps to discuss the weather, politics, the price of crops, and other matters of local importance. The upper floor was frequently used as attic space for storing supplies, while in some cases, it served as the proprietor’s residence. Reserve stock, fertilizer, livestock feed, and other heavy bulk items were often stored in an extension at the side or rear of the building.
For rural families, a weekly trip to the old-fashioned country store was a significant social event. With the children nestled in the back of the wagon, alongside chickens, cream, eggs, and pelts to be traded, families would pack a basket lunch and feed for the horses, making a day of the outing. Store-bought items were considered luxuries for most farm families and were typically reserved for necessities or special occasions, such as Christmas.
The aroma that permeated these stores was an experience in itself – a distinct blend of ripe cheese, pickles, kerosene, produce, feed, cured meats, leather, and tobacco smoke. This olfactory tapestry created a unique and memorable atmosphere. Children, wide-eyed with anticipation, would press against the candy displays, their faces alight with eager smiles. Peppermint sticks, licorice, jelly beans, horehound, rock candy, lemon drops, and chocolates were among the tempting treats on offer.
Boys would gaze longingly at Barlow knives, Stevens single-shot rifles, Jew’s harps, and harmonicas, while girls dreamt of china dolls, "store-bought" dresses, glass beads, and pretty ribbons. Parents, ever practical, might cast wistful glances at new tools or glassware, but ultimately, they would leave with only what they needed. This typically included basic staples such as flour, salt, coffee, nails, chicken feed, a needle, and thread. If the children were fortunate, they might receive a single piece of penny candy each. Rather than using bags, the clerk would wrap the purchases in brown paper, secured with twine.
Stocking the early stores required proprietors to travel to wholesale and auction houses, primarily located in the Northeast. Later, traveling salesmen, known as "drummers," began to peddle their wares directly to store owners. The expansion of the railroad network made buying trips more convenient, allowing wholesale goods to be ordered by rail. The arrival of fresh merchandise became another social event, especially during the holidays when merchants would stock seasonal items such as crates of oranges, boxes of figs, and English walnuts.
The Civil War brought significant changes to the old-fashioned country store, particularly in the South. Many stores evolved from the commissaries of the plantation system. After the war, newly freed slaves often became sharecroppers or tenant farmers and had to purchase their supplies on credit. The commissary transformed into a "general store" that provided seasonal credit, often at exorbitant interest rates. The merchant held a legal claim to future harvest profits, known as a crop lien, as collateral.
The prevalence of sharecroppers and tenant farmers led to a proliferation of stores. In some small towns, Main Street might be lined with several such establishments. This was the case in Learned, Mississippi, where four eerily similar buildings still stand. Today, only one – H. D. Gibbes & Sons, established in 1899 – remains open, providing essential goods and serving great steaks.
In the post-Civil War South, these stores were often at the center of class conflict due to the lien system. While some condemned the stores as monopolies, many merchants struggled with competition, unpaid debts, and their own creditors. Attempts to collect debts often led to conflicts with landlords and resentment from small farmers paying high interest rates in the fluctuating cotton market.
In other parts of the country, old-fashioned country stores played unique roles in local history. In Leadville, Colorado, Horace Tabor, a small-time merchant, capitalized on the silver boom. By grubstaking two prospectors with a mere $54 in provisions, Tabor gained a one-third interest in their finds. This investment led to the discovery of the Little Pittsburgh Mine, transforming Tabor into the "Silver King" and launching him into wealth and influence.
Another interesting tale unfolded in Lincoln, New Mexico, where the Murphy & Dolan Mercantile held a monopoly, exploiting the needs of the local residents. The arrival of rival merchants Alexander McSween and John Tunstall sparked the Lincoln County War, a frontier range war that propelled Billy the Kid into outlaw fame.
These are just a few of the many stories associated with old-fashioned country stores. They were more than just places to buy goods; they were integral to the social, economic, and political life of rural communities.
Despite their importance, advertising was not always a primary focus for these stores. However, as manufacturers began to brand their products in the late 19th century, old-fashioned country stores started displaying signs, calendars, lights, fixtures, and murals advertising various goods.
Other changes also impacted these stores. Rural Free Delivery (RFD) in 1896 reduced trips to the post office, and mail-order catalogs from companies like Montgomery Ward and Sears offered rural customers access to a wider range of goods. Merchants, alarmed by the competition, referred to these catalogs as "town killers."
Improved roads and automobile travel allowed people to shop in larger cities, while the rise of supermarkets in the 1930s further eroded the market share of old-fashioned country stores. Gradually, unable to compete, many of these stores closed their doors.
Today, few places evoke such pleasant nostalgic memories. Many fondly recall family shopping trips, penny candies, and lively discussions around the pot-bellied stove. The old-fashioned country store was a vital part of the community, alongside the school, church, and courthouse.
Only a small fraction of these stores remain, often serving as museums, antique shops, or tourist attractions. However, some have adapted to changing needs, becoming "convenience stores" while retaining their unique character. They continue to offer a range of goods, from canned goods to gasoline to farming equipment, playing a vital role in their communities.