Santa Fe Mercantile

06/28/2026

Roseville Pottery Has Arrived in Larned!
If you love American art pottery, you’ll want to stop in this week. We just brought in fresh Roseville pieces — the iconic sculpted florals, rich matte glazes, and classic forms collectors have chased for over a century.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just discovering the beauty of Roseville, these pieces display beautifully and add instant character to any home.
What makes Roseville so collectible?
1. Early Years (1890–1904): Stoneware Roots
Founded in Roseville, Ohio, the company began with utilitarian stoneware — flowerpots, jugs, and household goods. By 1900, they were operating four plants and employing over 300 people.
2. The Art Pottery Breakthrough (1900–1917)
Ross C. Purdy created the first art line, Rozane, to compete with Rookwood and Weller. This is where Roseville began shifting from “useful” to “beautiful.”
3. The Golden Age (1917–1940s)
Under art director Frank Ferrell, Roseville exploded with creativity. He designed many of the patterns collectors chase today — including the legendary Pinecone line (1935), credited with saving the company from bankruptcy.
4. The Final Years (1940s–1954)
Production continued through WWII, but by 1954 the company closed. The molds and facilities were sold to Mosaic Tile Company.
5. Collector Revivals (1970s & 1990s)
Roseville experienced two major collecting booms — one driven by baby boomers, and another during the Mission Style revival. Today, it remains one of the most stable and beloved American pottery categories.
Available now at Old Church Antiques – 10th & Broadway, Larned & Santa Fe Mercantile – Pawnee Rock
Open daily — come treasure hunt!

06/23/2026

I wrote on Father Day about the fact that I was restoring 1918 newspaper - The Pawnee Rock Herald to be exact. The restoration is going great. The papers are becoming real flexable and I will be able to unfold them soon.
So far, the surviving 1918 pages, the Herald focused heavily on:
Local farm life and harvest conditions
Accidents, injuries, and community events
Red Cross drives and wartime support efforts (WWI was still underway)
Advertisements from local merchants and implement dealers
Social notes — who visited whom, church events, school happenings
Regional news from Barton County and nearby towns

For example, a May 9, 1918 issue includes reports on farm accidents, Red Cross sales, and local business promotions — a snapshot of everyday life in wartime Kansas.
The 1918 issues come from a moment when:
Kansas communities were supporting the final year of World War I
The Spanish Flu pandemic was months away
Pawnee Rock was a busy agricultural hub
Local newspapers were the only source of news, advertising, and community connection
These papers are not just news — they’re primary sources, documenting how Pawnee Rock families lived, worked, worried, and celebrated.
I'll keep you updated from time to time.

06/21/2026

Restoring a Piece of 1918 Today
Today is Father’s Day and I spent my morning restoring old newspapers. There’s something special about holding a newspaper that’s survived more than a century. No, I’m not quite that old, but the pages I’m working on right now are The Pawnee Rock Herald and were printed in 1918—a moment in time when Kansas towns were growing, rail lines were humming, and families were reading these very words by lamplight.
The newspapers I’m restoring today come from the 1918 Pawnee Rock Herald — a weekly paper that served Pawnee Rock from 1904 to 1930. These pages carried the heartbeat of the community: farm reports, local accidents, Red Cross drives, wartime updates, and the everyday stories of Pawnee Rock families. Holding them now is like stepping straight into Kansas life during the final year of World War I.
To restore and preserve them, I’m using a gentle archival process: slowly humidifying the pages so the old folds relax, easing the creases open without cracking the fibers, and pressing everything flat between acid free sheets. No heat, no chemicals, just patience and respect for history in my hands.
Once finished, these papers will be protected and hopefully, ready for display so their stories can be shared again. History deserves to breathe, and we’re proud to help it do just that.
When I get them to the place where they can be viewed, because right now they are in a humidifying environment, I will let you know. These are classic and filled with stories about the Pawnee Rock residents during the 1st World War. Fascinating history.

06/19/2026

Pocket Pies are perfect during harvest time.

06/19/2026

Save money this summer with a Staycation.

05/29/2026

02/27/2026

Old Church Antiques is updating its name—just a touch—to reflect who we’ve truly become.
We’re no longer only a destination for just antiques. Both of our stores, Santa Fe Mercantile included, blend farmhouse, shabby chic, vintage, mid century, modern, and everything in between. Every piece we bring in is solid wood, never MDF, and our décor is authentic, not mass produced imports.

What We Carry
Our focus has always been on what fits the character of our region and the homes we serve. That means you’ll find far more than strictly 100 year old antiques. Instead, we curate pieces that bring warmth, craftsmanship, and heritage into modern living.
• Post Victorian (1837–1901) — transitional pieces moving from ornate to practical.
• Early 20th Century (1900–1940s) — the shift from ornament to modernity, influenced by industrialization.
• Arts & Crafts (1890s–1910s) — solid wood, honest joinery, handcrafted simplicity.
• Art Nouveau (1890s–1910s) — organic curves, floral motifs, flowing asymmetry.
• Art Deco (1920s–1930s) — geometric lines, chrome, lacquer, and exotic woods. These rare finds never stay long.
• Mid Century Modern (1940s–1960s) — clean lines and warm woods, carefully selected to match our buyers’ tastes.
• Late 20th Century (1970s–1990s) — retro earth tones, bold silhouettes, and nostalgic charm.
• Early 21st Century (2000s) — farmhouse and rustic modern styles that blend sustainability, comfort, and heritage.
Across all eras, our customers consistently seek solid wood, well built, heritage inspired home furnishings that feel at home in today’s spaces.
So, why the Name Change?
We still love antiques—and always will—but our collection has grown into a full home furnishings experience. To reflect that evolution, we’re embracing a name that better represents what we offer today:
"Old Church Home Furnishings & Antiques"
A name that honors our roots while welcoming the styles and craftsmanship our customers love most.

02/19/2026

Our open floor plan makes shopping a more enjoyable experience.

01/15/2026

Welcome to the newly revived blog of Old Church Antiques and Santa Fe Mercantile!
If you love the charm of vintage craftsmanship and the beauty of restored furniture, you’re in the right place. Subscribers will discover fresh ideas, behind-the-scenes stories, and inspiration from our world of repurposing, restoring, and reimagining antique treasures.
My wife and I have been immersed in the antique business for over 20 years. Together, we proudly operate Old Church Antiques in Larned, Kansas, and Santa Fe Mercantile in Pawnee Rock. These shops are more than storefronts—they’re living showcases of heritage, creativity, and second chances.
I grew up watching my father—a skilled cabinet maker and furniture refinisher—breathe new life into worn pieces. That legacy shaped my path. I began as a restorer, finding forgotten furniture and transforming it into something beautiful and useful once again. Today, I’ve passed on that craft, and within our two stores, both I and our talented vendors continue the tradition: placing restored, character-rich pieces back into homes where they belong.
Whether you're a collector, a decorator, or simply someone who appreciates authenticity, we invite you to follow along. There’s always something new to discover—and perhaps, your next great find is waiting just down the road.

There’s a quiet crime happening in home renovation right now. Perfectly solid, real-wood furniture is getting hauled to the curb while people drop four figures on particleboard bathroom vanities th…