Morris Hardware in McConnelsville has been in business since 1845. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

Morris Hardware is Ohio’s oldest family-owned full-service hardware store, founded in 1845. The business is still owned and operated by direct descendants of the Morris family.

George P. Morris came to Ohio from England with his brother in 1817. In 1845, Morris started a tinsmith shop two blocks from where the hardware store is located today. He and his sons were looking for a better place to house their business and built a three-story structure. They added a fourth floor to the building in 1894.

The sixth generation of the family is now operating the store, part of the True Value chain.

Morris Hardware offers a unique blend of friendly service and a wide selection of products, from Ball canning jars and supplies to hard-to-find replacement parts for lawn mowers and trimmers.

Not only does Morris Hardware offer all the customary services and products you would expect to find in a hometown hardware store, they are enthusiastically involved in the Morgan County community of McConnelsville.

The store hosts local arts and crafts work and events, allows space for local retailers to display and sell their handiwork and specialty foods, supports local car shows, sponsors a pumpkin carving contest in October and supports the town’s Christmas parade in December.

The store and its owners were recognized for outstanding contributions toward the protection and enhancement of local history and culture from the Southeast Ohio History Center in 2020.

Located at 50 E. Main St. in downtown McConnelsville, the store has wonderful historic photos and displays of early operations.

Read more about Morris Hardware.

When visiting McConnelsville, also visit the Twin Valley Opera House, the Blue Bell Diner and Boondocks BBQ and Grill, also listed in Dusty Tires.

(Sources: Morris Hardware Facebook page, Hardware Retailing and Clutch MOV webpages)

Ken Drenten is creator and manager of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

All rights reserved, copyright Dusty Tires (dusty-tires.com), 2023.