Posted on 06/01/2021 5:21:34 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
I have been so lucky to explore some extraordinary places in my lifetime, but few even come close to this one. This is the 153 Mile Store, and it has sat perfectly preserved - full of unsold merchandise - since the day it closed in 1963. I grew up just down the road from this location, so I was always aware of it, but it was so much more than I ever expected. Its rare that you get to see old artifacts in good condition, but this store is FULL of artifacts in literally brand new condition. This store opened in 1900 and ran until 1963, when the owner died in the store behind the counter. Shortly after that, the doors were closed and locked and it has sat just the same ever since. The calendar behind the counter is still on the month and year that she died in the store. The store is located on a working ranch, so it has been kept in remarkable condition from the current owners of the ranch, but there has not been intention to open the store for public sale since the day that it closed.
I am really honored to have the chance to make this video for my community, my city and for the family members that have been involved in this amazing piece of history and story. People have always said that I am an old soul, and I would have to agree. I thoroughly enjoyed interviewing and chatting with some folks about a story that came and left, years before my parents were even born.
(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...
The old calendars were a fond reminder of my grandma, she saved her old ones for the pictures.
A more civilized time.
I would probably love the place. I have a fondness for old country stores. Each one seems to have something unique about it that makes it different from the previous ones.
There is an old store hereabouts that closed in the 70’s. Full of horse collars, galvanized tubs, kerosene lamps and lanterns. My dad said it was like stepping back into his childhood.
The store still stands, is still closed and is still full of treasures.
When the old couple who ran it died their kids couldn’t bear to sell the property off deciding to keep it as it was. The grandkids and great-grandkids are now taking care of the place.
Its now part of family history. A kind of “this is where we came from”.
Near perfect preservation.
They were still in their original rapper. Unopened.
But there are still plenty of high grade comics from that time.
Fantastic Four Annual #1 (Marvel, 1963)
9.0 CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white pages.
Overstreet 2018 VF/NM 9.0 value = $1,253; NM- 9.2 value = $1,950. CGC census 11/18: 34 in 9.0, 51 higher.
Fascinating. Obviously someone has been cleaning and sorting. I had to laugh at some of his assumptions about old time stuff, like thinking that tin tank on the top of a clothes iron meant it was “gas powered.” Most likely that was a water tank for an early model steam iron.
I noticed another calendar with a picture of Lord Mountbatten, the late Prince Philip's uncle, a top British Navy officer who was killed by Irish terrorists in 1979.
Yeah, and he didn’t at first recognize those old telephones.
Years ago, when the old hardware store closed in my home town, all the old inventory came out, including stuff probably in stock due to the long-ago disappearance of the manufacturers. There was big governor from a steam tractor, I had to ask the old dad what it was.
That would be cool.
I have never seen comics come in a wrapper outside of a comic store, though.
Obviously someone has been cleaning and sorting.
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I noticed that too. Everything is dusted and neatly arranged. The place looks unused but not exactly abandoned. The paper items are in good condition with no signs of mildew...makes me wonder if it’s been climate controlled, like with an A/C unit or other way of dehumidifying. Or maybe it’s just naturally dry up there. Very cool place; I love old buildings that retain signs of everyday life and “the way it was.”
No thanks. Be my luck a scary dude with a chainsaw would be offended I was in his store.
Lots of valuable material there from that era. Needs careful attention on the removal, display, and sales presentation though.
Looks like a good tourist attraction. Charge a few dollars to walk thru.
Wow! Thanks for posting!
My pleasure!
Cool!
Watching the video, the things that struck me the most were that everything was positioned perfectly, and there wasn’t a speck of dust in sight.
Some of it would be better, since it was bottled at full proof rather than reduced to 80 proof for taxation purposes. Even as small as a 6.8% difference affects the taste of some whiskeys.
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