The Harley Shoe Store

For many years, Lloyd V. Tuttle contributed historic photos and information to the Defiance Crescent-News for his column, "A Backward Glance."  This undated clipping of Harley's shoe store, operated by Perry Harley, was located on Second Street, Defiance.

"THIS OLD TIME picture is of Harley's Shoe Store, which was located on Second St. in what was known as the National Union Building.  The structure, once three stories, has been cut to two.  Note the wooded hitching rack.

Second St. was paved with what was known as macadam (crushed stone)  Farmers who would come to town in the farm wagon, always brought along the family dog to protect the wagon, and also a quantity of feed for the horses.  They would unhitch the horses and tie them to the back of the wagon so they could feed while the family spent the day in town.  This was alongside the court house on Second St. that was seldom cleaned.

...Note the display of boots.  Many folks wore boots those days as Defiance was just a trifle muddy."