Ohio Governor Andrew Harris arrives in Centerburg. Credit: Photo courtesy of Gloria Parsisson.

History Knox

Mark Sebastian Jordan authors a column each Saturday reflecting on the history of the community

CENTERBURG — Gloria Parsisson is a wealth of knowledge about the Centerburg area, and she has many pictures from the town’s lively history.

After the History Knox column a couple of weeks ago which showed a postcard related to a 1908 visit to the community by then Ohio Governor Harris, Gloria was able to hook us up with several photos which flesh out both the governor’s visit and the subsequent history of the Bowers hardware and farm implement store.

A crowd assembles at the CA&C Railroad station in Centerburg to greet Governor Harris. (Photo courtesy of Gloria Parsisson.)

As discussed previously, the store was the target of arsonists in 1909, but was rebuilt from the inside out, and remains in Centerburg to this day.

The picture postcard discussed had showed part of the crowd that was listening to Gov. Harris give a speech during his unsuccessful reelection campaign in 1908. The new photos include shots of the crowd that greeted Harris as he arrived by train at the Cleveland, Akron, & Columbus Railroad station on the north side of the village.

Supporters included signs in support of Gov. Harris’ reelection. (Photo courtesy of Gloria Parsisson.)

He then traveled by horse-drawn buggy to the square, where a stand had been erected against the side of Centerburg Town Hall.

It was here that Harris spoke, which means that the picture we examined previous caught just a small portion of the back of the crowd on the south side of the square.

Governor Harris takes a buggy ride to the town square. (Photo courtesy of Gloria Parsisson.)

The other pictures include shots of the Bowers Hardware store, its interior rooms, related products, and some dramatic shots of that 1909 fire.

Many thanks to Gloria for sharing her local history treasures.

A stand was erected for the governor’s speech. (Photo courtesy of Gloria Parsisson.)
This photo of the Centerburg Town Hall shows the location of Bowers Hardware next door. (Photo courtesy of Gloria Parsisson.)
Bowers Hardware & Farm Implements store in Centerburg. (Photo courtesy of Gloria Parsisson.)
This photo confirms the building seen next to the house in the previous column was indeed Bowers Hardware. (Photo courtesy of Gloria Parsisson.)
Many of the products on display at Bowers Hardware. (Photo courtesy of Gloria Parsisson.)
The Bowers Hardware storeroom. (Photo courtesy of Gloria Parsisson.)
A promotional product for Bowers Hardware. (Photo courtesy of Gloria Parsisson.)
A leather rub product which was produced and sold by Bowers Hardware. (Photo courtesy of Gloria Parsisson.)
In 1909, a fire consumed the store and its second building. (Photo courtesy of Gloria Parsisson.)
Another photo of the arson fire which consumed the store. (Photo courtesy of Gloria Parsisson.)