Page 36 - 2019 August The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
P. 36
A mainstay of the store was its soda One sign in the collection was nearly
fountain. Located to the right inside the front lost when the store was knocked down in
door, it had a long marble counter and
1986. It came from one of the Barkers
wire-framed chairs. A large framed mirror sideline businesses. In the 1920s, when
hung on the wall behind the counter. times were good, the Barkers ran a grist
Customers could order up sundaes, banana mill for grinding meal and opened a movie
splits, and any number of flavored sodas. theater where they showed films rented
Sodas were made with ice chipped or shaved from regional distributors. During this
from a 100-pound block of ice. The Barkers same time, Arthur Barker decided to pursue
Chevrolet sign found in the rubble
stored their stock of ice cream at the local ice the idea of bringing a car dealership to
house. Bananas came as large stalks packed in Pettigrew. He wanted to get one from of the Mooney-Barker Drugstore
crates. They were hung from a hook in the Ford but that didn’t work out. He applied when it was torn down in 1986.
Mid-century soda bottles from store ceiling that was lowered when needed. to Chevrolet and succeeded. His timing
the Mooney-Barker Drugstore. Although the fountain fixtures went to
proved unfortunate. The Depression hit and he never sold a car. The Chevrolet
Har-Ber Village Museum in Grove, Oklahoma, sign, two-sided enamel on metal, remained at the store but was not found
Shiloh Museum acquired ice cream spoons, a banana crate, and advertising signs, during auction preparations. After the store was razed a bulldozer uncovered it
including one for Fulbright’s Ice Cream produced in Fayetteville in the 1920s while clearing the site. A little damaged, it is now part of Mooney-Barker
and 1930s. collection at Shiloh Museum.
Advertising Ephemera from Running the Business
Signs depicting delicious ice cream treats were not the Besides all the goods, signs, and catalogs, a great
only advertising materials acquired by the museum. There many records were found packed into side rooms of the
are signs for Cardui and Bull’s Herbs and Iron tonics; store. There are letters to vendors, order forms, drug
Remington UMC Kleanbore bullets and Winchester Air prescription forms, tax records, and ledgers. Arthur
Rifle Shot; Vane Calvert, Fixall, and Wearwell paints; Barker’s Justice of the Peace and Notary Public papers
Foley’s Honey and Tar cough syrup and F&F Cough were also found. Fliers and newsletters from the Barker’s
Lozenges; and Common Sense rat and roach killer. community made their way into the store as well. One of
Tobacco advertising includes Camel, Old Gold, and Lucky the most revealing group of records recovered is that of the
Strike cigarettes; Bull Durham and Stud smoking tobacco; Citizens Bank of Pettigrew, saved by Arthur Barker after
and Golden Rule Plug tobacco. One group of advertising the bank failed in 1930. The bank and its owner, Charles
items are signs and display devices to promote the book, E. Crawford had interests in the local timber and nearby
Nursing in the Home. Interestingly, this group was found Dr. Cox’s Wire Barbed Wire Liniment. mining businesses, among other things. Letters and
with copies of the book in a crate that was delivered to the papers in the collection document these dealings. All the
store in 1920 but was never opened until the museum opened it in 1986. Local archived material in the Mooney-Barker collection fills twenty boxes.
advertising signs include a 1930s Arkansas political campaign sign and a couple Highlights of the Mooney-Barker collection can be seen in exhibits at the Shiloh
signs from the 1960s promoting wrestling matches in Elkins, Arkansas – one Museum of Ozark History. For access to the collection’s archived records contact the
featuring Danny Hodge (billed as World Champion) and The Great Bolo. Shiloh Museum at shilohmuseum.org/contact-us
Continued from page 32
wool samples to look Happy memories. That’s the calling
through, for those want- card of the country store, its memorabilia
ing to order pants and still brightening kitchens of the present
suits. Lots of ribbon too, with the heart-tugging nostalgia of the
measured by the yard. My past. Maybe it’s the appeal of colorful
sister loved selling that labels and unusual containers. Or the jolt
ribbon, measuring it out. of recognizing a once-upon-a-time house-
hold necessity, now long forgotten.
“Near the furnace were Regardless of the reason, country store
the shoe shelves; twice a collecting is an appetizing avocation, even
year, the salesman from for the culinary-skill-deprived among us
Brown’s Shoes in St. (and we know who we are). Bon appétit!
Out of this world: Atomic sewing needles,
in original packaging. Louis would come to get
the shoe orders. Behind Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of
that were shelves of jeans, overalls, and work clothes. When my sister and I numerous Schiffer books on design and col-
were young, we would crawl in there and take a nap. lectibles, including Postwar Pop, a collection of
his columns. Please address inquiries (or cooking
“My Mother would hem up the men’s pants when needed. Once, tips) to: donaldbrian@msn.com
I remember we were delayed going to a 4th of July parade in another town A poster common in general stores Photo Associate: Hank Kuhlmann, Photos
because she had to do a last-minute hem. during the World War II era, stressing by Donald-Brian Johnson, Campbell store
the importance of home canning. items courtesy of Sally Hanson.
“Each December, a group would get together
and fill small paper bags with an orange, peanuts
in the shell, and that hard Christmas candy. When
Santa came to town on the fire truck, he would
hand out the sacks.
“Today, Campbell’s building in Bridgewater is
still a grocery store. After we left, somebody else
operated it for fifty-plus years. Now, a young
couple owns it. I wish them much luck, and as
many happy memories as I have.”
Come And Get It!
The store is gone, but I recall the time The pause that refreshes: Ready to do their patriotic Tobacco products were a big seller at the general store.
When I could buy all heaven for a dime. vintage Campbell’s soda duty: Ball canning jars from This assortment of tins from Campbell’s includes the
bottles, plus the always-in- Campbell’s, 1940s. legendary “Prince Albert in a can,” the subject
– Country Store, Helen Virden, 1998 demand church key. 9-1/2” h; 5-1/2” h of many prank phone calls.
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
34
fountain. Located to the right inside the front lost when the store was knocked down in
door, it had a long marble counter and
1986. It came from one of the Barkers
wire-framed chairs. A large framed mirror sideline businesses. In the 1920s, when
hung on the wall behind the counter. times were good, the Barkers ran a grist
Customers could order up sundaes, banana mill for grinding meal and opened a movie
splits, and any number of flavored sodas. theater where they showed films rented
Sodas were made with ice chipped or shaved from regional distributors. During this
from a 100-pound block of ice. The Barkers same time, Arthur Barker decided to pursue
Chevrolet sign found in the rubble
stored their stock of ice cream at the local ice the idea of bringing a car dealership to
house. Bananas came as large stalks packed in Pettigrew. He wanted to get one from of the Mooney-Barker Drugstore
crates. They were hung from a hook in the Ford but that didn’t work out. He applied when it was torn down in 1986.
Mid-century soda bottles from store ceiling that was lowered when needed. to Chevrolet and succeeded. His timing
the Mooney-Barker Drugstore. Although the fountain fixtures went to
proved unfortunate. The Depression hit and he never sold a car. The Chevrolet
Har-Ber Village Museum in Grove, Oklahoma, sign, two-sided enamel on metal, remained at the store but was not found
Shiloh Museum acquired ice cream spoons, a banana crate, and advertising signs, during auction preparations. After the store was razed a bulldozer uncovered it
including one for Fulbright’s Ice Cream produced in Fayetteville in the 1920s while clearing the site. A little damaged, it is now part of Mooney-Barker
and 1930s. collection at Shiloh Museum.
Advertising Ephemera from Running the Business
Signs depicting delicious ice cream treats were not the Besides all the goods, signs, and catalogs, a great
only advertising materials acquired by the museum. There many records were found packed into side rooms of the
are signs for Cardui and Bull’s Herbs and Iron tonics; store. There are letters to vendors, order forms, drug
Remington UMC Kleanbore bullets and Winchester Air prescription forms, tax records, and ledgers. Arthur
Rifle Shot; Vane Calvert, Fixall, and Wearwell paints; Barker’s Justice of the Peace and Notary Public papers
Foley’s Honey and Tar cough syrup and F&F Cough were also found. Fliers and newsletters from the Barker’s
Lozenges; and Common Sense rat and roach killer. community made their way into the store as well. One of
Tobacco advertising includes Camel, Old Gold, and Lucky the most revealing group of records recovered is that of the
Strike cigarettes; Bull Durham and Stud smoking tobacco; Citizens Bank of Pettigrew, saved by Arthur Barker after
and Golden Rule Plug tobacco. One group of advertising the bank failed in 1930. The bank and its owner, Charles
items are signs and display devices to promote the book, E. Crawford had interests in the local timber and nearby
Nursing in the Home. Interestingly, this group was found Dr. Cox’s Wire Barbed Wire Liniment. mining businesses, among other things. Letters and
with copies of the book in a crate that was delivered to the papers in the collection document these dealings. All the
store in 1920 but was never opened until the museum opened it in 1986. Local archived material in the Mooney-Barker collection fills twenty boxes.
advertising signs include a 1930s Arkansas political campaign sign and a couple Highlights of the Mooney-Barker collection can be seen in exhibits at the Shiloh
signs from the 1960s promoting wrestling matches in Elkins, Arkansas – one Museum of Ozark History. For access to the collection’s archived records contact the
featuring Danny Hodge (billed as World Champion) and The Great Bolo. Shiloh Museum at shilohmuseum.org/contact-us
Continued from page 32
wool samples to look Happy memories. That’s the calling
through, for those want- card of the country store, its memorabilia
ing to order pants and still brightening kitchens of the present
suits. Lots of ribbon too, with the heart-tugging nostalgia of the
measured by the yard. My past. Maybe it’s the appeal of colorful
sister loved selling that labels and unusual containers. Or the jolt
ribbon, measuring it out. of recognizing a once-upon-a-time house-
hold necessity, now long forgotten.
“Near the furnace were Regardless of the reason, country store
the shoe shelves; twice a collecting is an appetizing avocation, even
year, the salesman from for the culinary-skill-deprived among us
Brown’s Shoes in St. (and we know who we are). Bon appétit!
Out of this world: Atomic sewing needles,
in original packaging. Louis would come to get
the shoe orders. Behind Donald-Brian Johnson is the co-author of
that were shelves of jeans, overalls, and work clothes. When my sister and I numerous Schiffer books on design and col-
were young, we would crawl in there and take a nap. lectibles, including Postwar Pop, a collection of
his columns. Please address inquiries (or cooking
“My Mother would hem up the men’s pants when needed. Once, tips) to: donaldbrian@msn.com
I remember we were delayed going to a 4th of July parade in another town A poster common in general stores Photo Associate: Hank Kuhlmann, Photos
because she had to do a last-minute hem. during the World War II era, stressing by Donald-Brian Johnson, Campbell store
the importance of home canning. items courtesy of Sally Hanson.
“Each December, a group would get together
and fill small paper bags with an orange, peanuts
in the shell, and that hard Christmas candy. When
Santa came to town on the fire truck, he would
hand out the sacks.
“Today, Campbell’s building in Bridgewater is
still a grocery store. After we left, somebody else
operated it for fifty-plus years. Now, a young
couple owns it. I wish them much luck, and as
many happy memories as I have.”
Come And Get It!
The store is gone, but I recall the time The pause that refreshes: Ready to do their patriotic Tobacco products were a big seller at the general store.
When I could buy all heaven for a dime. vintage Campbell’s soda duty: Ball canning jars from This assortment of tins from Campbell’s includes the
bottles, plus the always-in- Campbell’s, 1940s. legendary “Prince Albert in a can,” the subject
– Country Store, Helen Virden, 1998 demand church key. 9-1/2” h; 5-1/2” h of many prank phone calls.
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
34
