Merchants Hardware Store - 1942

My brother Marty sent me this picture of Merchant's Hardware Store front from 1942.  This was the year I was born and my dad worked for Merchant's then.  He continued to work for them when they building their current building until around 1957 when he started working for Sinclair Oil Company.  After retiring from Atlantic Richfield Oil Company (name changed for Sinclair in the 1960's), he returned to work at Merchant part-time.

Comments accompanying the picture from Marty:  E. W. Merchant's Hardware Store - 1942    A trade was made with George Gray to exchange buildings, so Merchant's could expand their building.  The hardware store and later Gray's Insurance was located in the building where Heator's Insurance is located today at 215 North Broadway.

For those who only remember Merchant's Hardware where it is located today, the picture above is where the hardware store was located prior to them building at their current location.  Where there store now stands, was a vacant lot where the Union Hotel once stood when this picture was taken.