Raby Hardware has been in business since 1885 in Loudonville. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

It’s hard for me to express my feelings about the town of Loudonville and the surrounding Mohican area. Every time I go there, it’s kind of like going home, although I’ve never lived there.

I’ve been going up there to canoe, camp, shop, eat and take in the scenic views since I was a teenager. Mohican Country is one of those areas in Ohio that I look forward to returning to over and over again to restore my acquaintance.

One of the many places that contributes to this ambience is Raby Hardware, the nation’s oldest continuously family-owned and operated hardware store, in business since 1885.

Located in downtown Loudonville in the heart of Mohican Country, Raby offers an extensive outdoor/recreation section that includes RV parts, tents, sleeping bags, cast iron cookware, fire rings, camping tools, pie irons and much more.

Although the storefront looks small from the street, you can find everything from power tools and 100-foot extension cords to gas grills and tape measures in this hardware store.

Along with other interesting shops in downtown Loudonville, Raby Hardware is a great place to go browse on a rainy day if you’re staying in the area. It’s also a must-stop for items you may have forgotten on your camping, cabin or canoeing trip.

Along with the numerous canoe and kayak liveries in the Loudonville area, the Mohican area includes Mohican State Park and Lodge, Malabar Farm State Park, Charles Mill and Pleasant Hill lakes, Wolf Creek Mill, Mowery Cider Mill and many privately owned RV parks, cabins and campgrounds. The area also includes small towns and villages like Bellville, Brinkhaven, Butler, Holmesville, Lucas, Mohicanville, Nashville, Perrysville and Shreve.

Raby Hardware is located at 223 W. Main St., Loudonville; phone number is (419) 994-3751.

The Mohican River, designated as a state scenic river, is made up of the Black Fork, Clear Fork and Lake Fork tributaries. The Mohican River from the Clear Fork to its confluence with the Kokosing River is 27-1/2 miles.

Source: Ohio.gov

Read about other Ohio hardware stores in Dusty Tires.

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

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