Meeker's Hardware
Meeker's Hardware is a commercial building in Danbury designed in Neoclassical style with a seven-section brick facade, decorative frieze, and pediment at the top. Inside, wooden shelves, thick hardwood flooring, and high ceilings create the atmosphere of a late 1800s shop, with the store name still visible on the exterior walls.
The building was constructed between 1883 and 1889 by local architect Charles Crossley and became known as the Red Block. After a fire in 1896 destroyed the upper floors, owner Oscar Meeker rapidly rebuilt it, continuing operations for decades until the store closed in 2013.
The name Meeker's Hardware comes from Oscar Meeker, who rebuilt the store after a fire in 1896 and ran it for many years. For over a century, locals came here for everyday supplies, making it a familiar gathering place woven into the community's daily routine.
The building is located near the train station and is easily accessible on foot, especially for visitors exploring the Railway Museum or downtown area. The Neoclassical architecture and painted exterior sign make it straightforward to spot and photograph.
A large vintage sign advertising ten-cent Pepsi drinks still adorns the northeast wall, a reminder of an earlier pricing era. Previously, signs promoted Coca-Cola for just five cents, a price maintained until the early 1980s that drew customers arriving from the nearby train station.
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