This photo is undated, but it was taken before the streets of Fairmount were bricked. It is said that the south front corner of the building had been an early post office. An advertisement in a 1914 Fairmount area cookbook states that A.L. White handles cement, lime, plaster, steel, paper roofing, Detroit Vapor Oil Stoves, building materials of all kinds, lumber and hardware. An 1884 newspaper tells that A.L. White was principal of Fairmount Grade School and received $75 a month for a 6 month term. A.L. White lived where the current Vance Township Library is now housed.

 

Ralph and Marjorie Diel stand in front of H.M. Smoot Hardware and Lumber in the early 1940's. In 1944 H.M. Smoot of Homer purchased the A.L. White Hardware, Stove & Lumber Company and was in search of a manager. At that time Ralph Diel was shipping and receiving manager at Sears and Roebuck Co. in Danville. H.M. hired Ralph after his first meeting. After a few months at the store, Ralph was called into service, Marjorie worked as bookkeeper and clerk. 

In 1956, along with Ralph Cast, Ralph and Marjorie (Darr) Diel achieved their goal of someday owning their own hardware store. Together they became Cast and Diel Hardware & Lumber Company

 

On October 1, 1991 Ralph and Marjorie Diel became the sole owners of Diel Hardware and Lumber. The business was incorporated April 1, 2004 with Ralph's motto being "Dial Diel for a Deal." Family involvment has always been a large part of their history with various family members working for them throughout the years. Son Ron Diel started working for the business in 1966 and daughter Susan (Diel) McMahon since 1975.
When Ralph became ill in 2001 and later passed on in 2007 part of the dream went with him. Marjorie, Ron and Susan kept the dream going with the help of family employees, Rita (Darr) Trankina and Bill High.
Pictured above are Ron Diel, Bll High, Susan (Diel) McMahon, Marjorie Diel and Ralph Diel.

 

When Marjorie passed on October 14, 2009, it was hoped the tradition of Diel Hardware and Lumber would  continue, as it had for over 60 years. Ron and Susan decided to keep the business in the family. February 2009, Bill and Carla (Darr) High and Bryan and Caroline Darr became the new owners of Fairmount Hardware & Lumber, Inc.