Photograph of W.C. Lewis Department Store Interior

This image shows a display of parlor lamps on the second floor of the "W.C. Lewis Department Store". This retail establishment was located on the west side of High Street in a building that later became Kroger's in the 1920's and the "Nuts & Bolts" section of Worthington Hardware during the later 20th century. This building was constructed in 1890 by Frank Bishop who partnered with Worthington C. Lewis to open "Bishop & Lewis", dealers of general merchandise. At the turn of the century, the store employed up to a dozen employees working in various departments selling groceries, clothing, housewares and more.

Parlor lamps began being made the 1880s, and became popular at the turn of the century. The lamps most often had smooth glass shades decorated with painted or transferred flowers. Some globes were patterned with images of animals. The lower globe, or "font" was often designed to match and hid the lamp's fuel.