Just the Facts
2010 marks 10th Anniversary
Bristol, Indiana's first news website officially launched on January 3, 2000 with a report on new Town Council member, Dan McNeil and ended that year on Dec. 31, 2000 with a story about the record December snowfall of 42 inches.
2000 year of Change
As the first year of the 2000's, also called the "naughts," the year began with the Y2K fears, which were largely unfounded, at least in Bristol.
Other 2000 Events
The year also marked the installation of computers in Bristol Police cars; the opening of the Bristol Elementary School Media Center; the successful fight by Bristol Alumni to keep the Pirate as the school mascot; the campaign that prevented turning Bonneyville Mill Park into a major tourist attraction; The Year of the Pirate Homecoming Parade, one of the largest in years; Bristol resident Chris Chocola's first run for political office; Local Media struggled meeting the challenges of going on-line with few photos or updates; Marshall's Posse provided security for KKK Rally; the Bristol Hardware Store held final auction & closed; and snowplows ruled the roads at year's end.2000: Bristol Hardware closes
On Saturday, Nov. 25, 2000, an all-day auction cleared the shelves at the Bristol Hardware Store on St. Rd. 15 South and brought to an end nearly a century of tradition. Forced to close the business due to a combination of factors, including family illness, Jay Schaffer, owner for over 28 years, watched silently as J. Nymayer, Auctioneers, worked the crowd for bids on the merchandise, one category at a time.
Although the business names and owners changed over time, Bristol's local hardware store had the continuity of a general store and community gathering place. When Shaffer bought it in 1978, it was called Schamehorn's and located on the corner of Divison and Vistula Sts. in the familiar brick building that housed Ron Wedge's bike and gun businesses and by 2009 became the Open Door Center owned by the Bristol United Methodist Church.
Schaffer's move to Bloomingdale St. in 1990 for more parking, was followed with the relocation to the present building in 1992.
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