Darby Store 2018

May 11, 2018
The Darby Store is significant as one of the few existing examples of a rural, vernacular general store dating from the early twentieth century in Montgomery County. It is an important contributing element of the Beallsville Historic District.

The town of Beallsville developed as a crossroads community due to its location at the intersection of two Montgomery County significant roads (Routes 109 and 28), and its proximity to the railroad and an important local church, Monocacy Chapel.

Located on what was once the Brewer Farm, the property was purchased by Harry Clay Darby in 1908. After demolishing buildings that stood on this site, Darby erected the extant store in 1910 and the neighboring house for his family in 1921. It is possible that Darby was encouraged by his cousin, Frederick Allnutt, the owner of the nearby Seneca (Poole’s) Store to open his own establishment. The Darby Store became an important addition to the community as it supplied area farmers and residents of the small neighboring communities for over 50 years, selling a variety of dry goods, feed, and groceries. It even housed the local post office in the 1920s.