Gallery II

Old Hickory has been helping make memories for most of the last 100 years. The enduring popularity of this rustic wood began with the pioneers who first made rustic furniture in the early 1800's. Their craftsmanship was honed in small towns and some evolved into companies manufacturing rustic furniture known for its style and natural elegance. The first of these companies was Old Hickory, incorporated in the late 1890's.

Old Hickory's beginnings predate accurate newspaper records, but can be traced back to a craftsman named Billy Richardson. In the 1880's, Richardson built hoop chairs, settees and tables from the hickory wood that flourished in the limestone-rich soils of Indiana. The earliest pioneers who crossed the Great Smoky Mountains discovered that hickory was well-suited for building furniture that would endure for generations. A few years back, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture described hickory wood as "exceptionally tough, heavy and strong," confirming the experienced wisdom of our early pioneers. Out of this legacy, Old Hickory was born. It grew because people found comfort and quality in its natural forms and sturdy construction. People in Chicago and New York were attracted to Old Hickory furniture by displays in merchandise marts and department stores as early as 1920. From the early 1900's. many of our national parks featured Old Hickory furnishings, including the Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone Park, where the dining chairs from the 1906 opening are still in use today!.

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