Meeker's Hardware facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Meeker's Hardware
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Store in 2007
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| Location | Danbury, CT |
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| Built | 1883 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001253 |
| Added to NRHP | June 9, 1983 |
Meeker's Hardware, also known as The Red Block, is a historic building in downtown Danbury, Connecticut. It is located near the city's train station and the Danbury Railway Museum. The building was constructed in 1883 and opened as a hardware store in 1885.
The Meeker family owned and operated the store for many years, until 2013. In 1983, Meeker's Hardware was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. At the time, it was the only hardware store on this national list.
Building Design and Inside Look
The outside of Meeker's Hardware has a classic style called Classical Revival. It is made of brick and has seven sections, or "bays," on its front. At the very top, there is a decorative band called a frieze, with a triangle shape, or "pediment," above it.
The store's name is painted clearly on both outside walls and on the front. Inside, the store looks much like it did in the late 1800s. An old-fashioned cash register was still used for many years. Tools and supplies were kept on wooden shelves and in special compartments. The floor was made of thick, unfinished wood, and the ceilings were very high. Ceiling fans helped keep the building cool in the summer.
The Famous Pepsi Sign
On one side of the building, there is a large advertisement for ten-cent Pepsi drinks. This sign uses an old Pepsi logo. The store actually sold Pepsi in small cups for that price.
Before Pepsi, the sign advertised Coca-Cola for five cents. The store started selling Coca-Cola in 1983. This sign became a well-known landmark for people arriving at the nearby train station. In 2006, the store switched to selling Pepsi and raised the price to ten cents. This happened because the local Coca-Cola company wanted them to use new equipment, which would have made selling the drinks too expensive.
What Happened Next
Meeker's Hardware closed its doors in 2013. The building was empty for a few years. Then, in 2016, a new business called Vazquez Soccerchamp Sports moved into the historic building.
See also
