Old Things in Hardware Stores

I love hardware stores, especially ones that have been in the same building for many decades. You never know what you'll find. It seems as though they never throw anything away, but it's probably just that hardware store owners value their history and don't see any reason to get rid of useful items.


This scale is a good example. It's clearly still in use at the Noll Hardware Store in Saint Paul. It even has a Minnesota Department of Commerce sticker showing that it's been checked for accuracy.


It was patented on August 16, 1872.


This phone on the wall at Noll is not in use, however.


This display at the Olympia (Wash.) Supply Company is similar -- these tools are not for sale, and I doubt the store still has a lay-away plan. But I'm grateful they have it up there for us to see.