Fitzgerald Hardware Building, 1897

This beautifully restored landmark is now home to Fitzgerald’s newspaper, the Herald-Leader. My grandmother worked in the back office here when it was John Henry Dorminy’s Fitzgerald Hardware Company. Some of the people I remember from those days, besides Mr. Dorminy: his wife, Elene, who was one of my favorite people. In the back office were my grandmother (Thelma Bussell), Audrey Calhoun, and Harry Greer. Throughout the store you’d find Tony Sheppard, I. B. Harmon, and Sheldon Flesher. I’ll add other names as I remember them…