Auction of Historic Store at Leavenworth, Indiana

Many on this board undoubtedly have visited Leavenworth, Indiana, downriver from Louisville, where the Ohio makes the big horseshoe bend and the famous "Overlook Restaurant" is situated with a commanding view of the bend. Also well known at Leavenworth is Stephenson's General Store, which has been in business since 1917 and was one of the "survivors" from the old town that was relocated up on the hill after the 1937 flood destroyed the original town. For many years Leavenworth was also the site of Lock and Dam #44 until replaced by the new dam at Cannelton, Indiana. I have many fond memories of picnics at Leavenworth in the 1960's on Sunday afternoons when the DELTA QUEEN came through and provided a calliope concert as the boat departed the lock, often played by Harmon Mize or Capt. Doc Hawley, who was then mate and alternate master. The old lockhouse is still there.

Walking into Stephenson's Store has always been like stepping back in time. The store also included The Rivertown Museum, containing memorabilia such as the switchboard from the old telephone exchange, signage, skiffs, steamboat pictures, DQ souvenir model, vintage post office equipment, etc. For years, the store sold t-shirts and sweatshirts featuring a drawing of the Str. BETSY ANN, provided by the late river historian Bert Fenn, a good friend of Jack Stephenson, who passed away in 1995. It's always been a MUST, when in the area, to stop at Stephenson's for an ice cream cone and a look around!

After being in the Stephenson family for three generations, the store closed on Labor Day and the contents will be sold at auction this coming weekend (October 18-19) by the Harritt Auction Company. The auction begins at 9:00 AM on Saturday and at noon on Sunday. The store is located on Highway 62. There is a Leavenworth exit from I-64, approximately 35 miles West of Louisville.

News articles, information and a listing of items to be auctioned are available at The Harritt Group