Historic Katonah: Kellogg & Lawrence Hardware

It may not have been one of the buildings moved into the New Katonah in 1897, but Kellogg Hardware had its start in the Old Katonah before the move of 1897.

It was decided that Henry and Cordelia Kellogg were to have a new building in the enhanced hamlet, designed by the architectural landscape firm of Olmstead, designers of New York Central Park. It was built in 1895, two years before it had the company of the stately Victorians that were pulled on wood rails by horse and mule. The move was delayed by legal issues.
 
I met on a cold January afternoon with Jeff Kellogg, great grandson of Henry and Cordelia Kellogg, who continues the business today, with Bart & Diana Tyler—partners since the late 1990's.

It is months before the inviting assortment of Adirondack Chairs for sale are to make their appearance out on the side walks of Katonah, but the ever present tempting barrel of peanuts welcomed me as before. The warmth and patina of the worn wood floors also took me back in time.

Jeff's great grandfather, Henry Kellogg came to the original Katonah from nearby South Salem, New York. He worked first as a customs agent in New York City, before deciding to start a hardware and lumber yard business in what we know as Old Katonah.

Once they moved to Katonah, they did not keep have the lumber yard business but did have a plumbing business with those "new lead pipes". In the back, there was a stable for their horses used for both delivery and personal use. The 5000-sq. ft building also housed the first Katonah Post Office.

They had three children and lived in the entire second floor of the building. Today there are three apartments in that space— one recently vacated by the recent passing of Elsie Roberts, who had lived there since 1961.

According to Richard Schmitt, trustee of the Bedford Hills Historical Society, it was first known as Kelloggs & Elliott, then Kelloggs & Mead. They then had James Fayette Lawrence as a partner from 1919-1960. Lawrence was a longtime volunteer and then fire chief of the Katonah Fire Department and it was while he was at the scene of a fire that he stepped on a live electric wire and was executed in the line of duty in 1959. The Memorial Circle and Flag Pole across from the Library were dedicated to his memory just footsteps from the hardware store. It is where we have our Memorial Day Ceremony each year.

The store is almost a General Store and carries everything from basic hardware, paint, plumbing supplies, gift items, classic outdoor clothing, and old fashioned toys. There are also the barbecues, fire pits, a stunning collection of mailboxes and a fireplace shop with all of the accessories needed for a beautiful yet practical wood burning fireplace.