Powell Farmers Exchange
Powell was surrounded by farmland as late as the mid-twentieth century. As with many of Ohio’s rural areas and their agricultural centers, the Farmers Exchange was a cornerstone of rural life in the past. Farmers could trade crops, livestock, and supplies without relying on urban markets. They were also hubs for learning such things as farming techniques, weather insights and crop strategies. Exchanges helped farmers sell directly to consumers and small businesses, bypassing middlemen. Farmers markets evolved from exchanges, offering fresh produce and handmade goods. All said, the exchanges strengthened the local economy.
The first record we find for the Powell Farmers Exchange was in 1939 in an advertisement for an all-day grand opening to be held at the site which was located on the east side of the C&O railroad tracks and Depot Street. Nocterra Brewing occupies much of the same area today. One part of the ad that appeared in the Worthington News for the March 18th event stated a special for a 100 lb. bag of feed and one hundred baby chicks for $10.95! Your choice of White or Bard Rocks, New Hampshire or Rhode Island Reds, or English Type Leghorn. Lunch was served by the Powell Ladies Aid from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. if you brought the coupon in the ad with you. The exchange also offered a “Coal Special,” delivered for $5.95 per ton from their coal yard nearby.
A number of advertisements in the 1940’s Worthington News appeared promoting Powell Farmers Exchange. Another “Opening Day” on August 18, 1944, offered free lunch and prizes and a motion picture “Feed and Folks”, a film on the feed situation for the coming winner would be shown. The public was cordially invited. In January 1946, an ad in the Worthington News stated “Mr. Lawrence Graham had taken a position and will be on hand at all times to meet you. Electrical and Plumbing work will be handled in the future through the Powell Farmers Exchange by Mr. T.L. Zimmerman.”
In 1950 there was another “Grand Opening” announcement with details of products and services offered. Although the exchange had been in operation for several years, new improvements and expansions were presented. The improvements were housed in three buildings: “Feed Mill and Grinding” where the grinding and mixing of feeds and the cracking and shelling of corn took place, “Lumber and Building Supplies” and the “Office and Hardware” building which carried an extensive line of hardware, appliances, paints, oils and numerous other supplies. The owner was John L. Taylor Jr., and the manager was Laurence W. Graham.
The March 15th, 1974, edition of the Weekly Forum, the Powell Planning and Zoning Board was preparing to condemn the three buildings known as the “old mill” that were owned by the John Taylor estate. Representatives of the estate were given five days to respond from the date of Powell’s letter to them or face a daily fine of $600. The mill was torn down but two buildings still stand today.
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