Historical Note

The Fred Kroner Hardware Store started in 1865 when Christian F. Scharpf and Frederick Kroner opened a shop at the southeast corner of State and Front streets. They sold stoves, hardware and agricultural implements. Adam Kroner, founder of the present day Kroner Hardware store, worked for a number of years for his uncle Fred before striking out on his own. The Fred Kroner Hardware store was incorporated in 1893 and about the turn of the century advertised "heavy hardware, iron and steel, wagon makers and blacksmiths' supplies, tools and machines." The business closed in 1948.