N.P. Smith Pioneer Hardware Store

As noted above, Smith built the store in 1909. This was several years after he came to in Bend in 1902 to help survey the new town, which was founded a year earlier by A.M. Drake. He bought a nearby timber claim and worked as a carpenter for Drake. The next year, Smith opened his hardware store on the other side of Wall Street. It is unclear why he built the new store building in 1909. He sold items that locals needed such as household items, including butter churns, farm equipment, and fishing and hunting supplies. Later, he sold gasoline as residents began using cars. Smith closed the store in either 1929 or 1930.

Smith was involved in the community in various capacities ways. He served as a volunteer fire fighter, election board chairman, local chairman of the Democratic Party, and Bailiff for the County Court. Smith also hosted community and civic meetings at the store, helped local farmers and businessmen in times of need, and oversaw the construction of the first board sidewalks on Wall Street.

Smith, Marjorie. "N.P. Smith Pioneer Hardware Store." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. April 5, 1984. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/b90bf666-eb49-4816-a837-1e3a83e17d87.