Indiana in Indiana County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Stewart Hardware
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 11, 2025
1. The Stewart Hardware Marker
In 1853, James and Peter Sutton, A.T. Stewart and W.B. Marshall erected a two-story building on the south side of Philadelphia Street. They operated a store under the name of Sutton, Marshall and Stewart. Known as "The Big Warehouse," this building was enlarged and remodeled in 1902. In 1912, Alex Stewart (Jimmy Stewart's father) bought out existing partners and became the sole owner of J.M. Stewart and Co. The same year, a fire caused extensive damage to the structure and it was remodeled to include a deep-set display window arcade. The hardware was a center of activity for the town of Indiana.
In an article entitled, "This was my Father" written by McCall's Magazine, Jimmy Stewart described the store as being the "center of the universe... full to the rafters with everything necessary to build houses, hunt deer, plant and harvest gardens, play sports, repair a car, make a scrapbook, and to handle 2,000 other jobs."
In 1941, Jimmy Stewart won the Oscar for his role in "The Philadelphia Story." His father requested and received the award and placed it in the window of the store where it remained until his death in 1961. The store closed following Alex's death and the property was sold and razed in 1969.
Erected by S & T Bank.
Topics. This historical
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Location. 40° 37.37′ N, 79° 9.289′ W. Marker is in Indiana, Pennsylvania, in Indiana County. It is at the intersection of Philadelphia Street and 8th Street, on the left when traveling west on Philadelphia Street. The marker is on the back side of the S & T Bank sign near the bank entrance, and is not visible from the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 Philadelphia Street, Indiana PA 15701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stewart Hardware Memorial Sundial (a few steps from this marker); James S. Nance, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Indiana County (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Indiana County Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary War Patriots (within shouting distance of this marker); Indiana County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); James Maitland Stewart (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indiana.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 11, 2025
2. The Stewart Hardware Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 336 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 14, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
