Wabash Valley Visions and Voices Digital Memory Project: Country Stores

John Like's General Store, Monroe City, Indiana.

A trip down memory lane, provided by the Wabash Valley Visions and Voices archive, brings to light the swift differences between our past and our present. Quickly these juxtapositions educate us on the difference between then and now. A prime example being a task most of us complete on the regular, and seemingly with little inconvenience. "Out of necessity, country stores, or general stores, got their start during the colonial period for the many pioneers who lived outside urban markets. Many owners... began as roving peddlers and once they had accumulated enough capital and inventory, they often established permanent locations in settlements where there was a need and likely profit" (Weiser). Before the installment and development of the supermarket, a cache all for all things necessary, small family-owned general stores supplied local communities with basic needs: "In addition to often being the only provider of 'store bought goods' and the post office, the country store served other roles, including the social center of the community" (Weiser). The country general store, a community epicenter, was an important part of rural business and industry. John Like's General Store, pictured above in 1910, was located between 10th and 11th streets in downtown Monroe City. Clothing, household goods and bolts of cloth can be seen displayed in the narrow shop. Below, the Prairieton General Store is pictured with customers gathered on the porch beneath a sign advertising "Groceries, Hardware & Drugs," as well as inside near the stove. A horse and buggy can be seen to the left of the building patiently waiting for the potential long ride home.