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Lugene Hudson At first glance, the village green, gazebos, stately old homes and delightful shops surrounded by the majestic courthouse are indicative of a New England town. But the borough of Mercer, just minutes from Lawrence County, is its own unique community, with all of the above-mentioned features and more. Last week, Cruisin� visited the Mercer County Courthouse, which sets the tone for the town�s late 1800s look. The borough and county may appear quaint on the surface, but are constantly growing in the business realm and tourism is a $60 million asset. After walking around the courthouse, I strolled through town, meeting friendly people and gaining additional information. Ruthie Dummell has operated Courthouse Square Dry Goods Co. for four years. Built in the early 1800s, it�s another example of the fine architecture in Mercer. There have been additions but all the inside brick walls are original. About 60 local artisans have consignment work on display. Ruthie also deals with antiques, primitives, glassware household goods, and new and used pianos. The Magoffin House Museum � home of the Mercer County Historical Society � is a place where you can spend an hour or two, if you�re so inclined. It is open Tuesday through Friday. The second floor features pictures of the Diamond circa 1843 and the first courthouse from an 1855 map, a set of keys and a brick from the second courthouse. A new permanent display in the upstairs gallery of the adjacent Anderson House called �Children of Yesteryear� focuses on toys, exquisitely preserved delicate dresses and bonnets, tea sets and dolls. The centerpiece is a dollhouse � A Tara look-alike straight out of �Gone With the Wind.� Other exhibits include the bed that Gen. Lafayette slept in while he was in Mercer during the 1830s. There are Civil War items including canteens, an officer�s vest and photographs of local military people. The older section of the home contains a history of lighting and appliances of yesterday including a stove from the 1920s. The original kitchen was redone with a fireplace where a pot hangs from a rod, and a spinning wheel. The hardwood floors gleam in the music room featuring a 1893 Edison phonograph, a piano and 78 R.P.M. records. Elaborate fans, three-dimensional effect Valentines and postcards have been preserved. Volunteer Jim Sewall told me the Helen Black Miller Chapel next door ��now popular for weddings and recitals � was built in 1883 and moved to the present site in 1972. Parched from my busy day, I dropped into the Mercer Mercantile � a soda shop that could probably be seen on Main Street of Anytown U.S.A. in the early 1900s. With its original tin ceiling, woodwork and marble counter, it nostalgically embraces the era. Owner Grace Anna Boggs provides an escape from this century with sodas, malteds and other refreshing beverages. While I sipped on my first-ever strawberry phosphate, Grace Anna noted Mercer is definitely a Victorian town and there are a lot of slate roofs. �It�s charming,� she said. �Once people see the town of Mercer, they want to live here.� Visitors can spin a record on the 1956 jukebox and still get five plays for a quarter. The 1940s Coke machine has glass bottles and the soda fountain is also from that decade. And with old fashioned candy such as SkyBars, Bun and Coconut Bacon, no sweet tooth is unsatisfied. �People come from all over for a chocolate soda, cherry coke and chili dogs,� she said. There is an overwhelming historic presence in Mercer, which combines modern retail and service industries with a pleasing old-fashioned atmosphere. (If you know of an interesting Cruisin� subject, contact Lugene Hudson at (724) 654-6651, extension 620 or [email protected].) Add a comment  |
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