96 E. Main
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Address: 96 E. Main
Built: 1866; Expanded 1886; Remodeled 1928 Built by: L. B. Lull & Wm. Boyce; Remodeled by Cliff Hatch 1st business: Nash & Boyce Axe Factory; Stormzand’s Central Garage Harmon Nash and William Boyce operated a Machine Shop and Axe Factory where they manufactured axes, log running tools, ice breaking tools and repaired mowing machines. The log running was just starting on the Flat River at that time. Ice was being harvested from the river, packed in sawdust and stored in ice houses to be used by households to keep their foods cold. Boyce died in 1879 but Nash was in business for over 50 years until 1918. He also sold Agricultural Implements like McCormick binders, plus buggies, wagons, robes, and horse blankets. Nash expanded the building in 1886 by adding a large platform at the rear of the express office, which was the building next door to the west, as an agricultural implement depot. In 1882, Robert W. Graham “moved his two wooden buildings from the east side to his lots on the bridge by the axe factory”. It is believed these were the express office noted above and the tailor shop (102 E. Main). Anthony H. Stormzand operated Stormy’s Central Garage, an auto repair shop, from 1922-1940. In 1928, he had a 30x60 addition built and had the half-rotted timbers of the old axe factory replaced. In the 1950s, William Christiansen used the building as a parking structure for his tenants who occupied the second floor of his drug store across the street. 96 E. Main --East storefront: Art’s (Warning) TV was here, 1965 – 1990, and Peg Bedell opened Bedell Jewelers, a watch repair and jewelry shop in the same storefront, 1965-1987. The Touch of Country oak furniture store and Hungry Howies Pizza followed. Milo’s Kid’s Consignment Store opened in October 2022. Images: Stormy’s Central Garage. The wrecker is parked on the sidewalk behind the gas pumps so a tractor and farm truck could remove the snow. Harmon Nash was born in NY in 1835 and came with his parents to a farm in Vergennes in 1845. He began the machine shop and implement manufacturing business after the Civil War with a partner, William Boyce. They made 150 dozen axes each year. Photo, 1893. The old Boyce and Nash Axe Factory was built in 1866. Drawing, 1893. The piers were replaced in 1904. The building was remodeled and incorporated with a new addition to the west in 1928. Debonaire Shop The building has a sign which reads “Willard” on the far left side. The Garage door can be seen almost under the “Garage Ford Service” sign. There were two gas pumps on the right side. Circa, 1930s. Flat River side of 96 E. Main shows the pillars underneath. Art's TV ( 1965-1990) and Peg Bedell of Bedell Jewelers (1965-1987 |
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