The General Store and Post Office

By now the locals were calling it "The Campbell Mill" or "Down at Campbell's Store". John's friend and neighbor, Rev. Bedford, suggested to him that since the store is now open he should establish a Post Office there. Bedford knew the legislative person to whom the formal request should be made. A few weeks later Rev. Bedford returned with an application. While being filled out, one line asked for the "name of the Post Office". Bedford wrote in "Campbellsville". On the 8th of January in the year 1851, Postmaster General, Nathan K. Hall, serving under President Fillmore, appointed John Campbell the first Postmaster of Campbellsville.

The photo above was taken circa 1880's. The Norton family, then owners and operators of the mill and store, are standing on the porch. The names of the family in the wagon are unknown at this time. The building of the general store began in the spring of 1850. Trees from the mill property were cut and taken to Hunsinger's saw mill not far down the road along Lick creek. John Campbell with three of his sons, Caleb, James H. and Hiram completed the building in about a month. Window glass and frames had to be ordered from New Albany to finalize it.

At a Sunday Meeting after services by Rev. Bedford, those in attendance inquired as to what items would be carried at the new store. John advised them that the normal necessities needed for every day needs naturally would be the main stock. He asked them what other items they would like to be available. Needless to say, John was inundated with requests for other items they requested. With that in mind he knew what additional items to bring from New Albany on his next visit there. Soon the store was stocked and neighbors from all around the area came to look and buy.


This photo was taken in August,1930. As one can see it has been re-sided and the small porch as seen in the 1898 photo has been removed, but the doorway still remains hidden behind the tree. What a change from horse and buggy in the top photo to the automobile shown here.	This photo was taken in September of 1898 three years before the mill & dam were destroyed by a major flood. I have been told that the small attached section in the rear of the store were living quarters, but it has not been confirmed. Notice to the left of the barn the near verticle grazing pasture. Did the animals have one leg shorter than the other?

scythe blade

frying pan

a girth

soup plates

turkey red

candlesticks

currycomb

blank books

smoothing iron

set of teaspons

spectales

castor oil

woolen cravats

bone buttons

camphor

hand saw

flour

pen & ink

1/2 gallon jug

gallon of tar

ropes

scissors

hymn book

sponges

nails

bars of lead

pencil case

mill saw file

saltpeter

blankets

pepper box

ribbon

gunlock

spools of thread

rye flour

cloth goods

The list above is only a small portion of the many items that were stocked. As time went by more items were added to meet the demands of his customers. Some of the General Store's earliest customers were; James Conmey, John Wank, Rev. Richard Bedford, John Fleming, Powell Bird,

Daniel & James Kelly, Thomas Norton, Joseph Pardoe, George Hunsinger, Joseph Warren, Thomas Coggins, Rueben Rogers, Henry Haverly, and John Warbrton. There were others but their names have been lost in time.

This is a registered letter sent from the Campbellsville P.O. circa 1870 to Millview just a

short distance away. The amount of the postage (12 cents) indicates that it was sent

registered mail. An interesting question that I have been asked is "Who sent the letter?"

Also, for that short of a distance "What was in it that it needed to be registered?"

Mr. Bird was a well known and respected resident in the Township & County, if we could

just get on the "party line" telephone somebody would know I bet.

The envelope was provided courtesy of Mr. Ted Bahry. (A serious stamp collector)

Jacob Snyder was the Postmaster.