J. Deane and Son was a hardware store that served this area beginning in 1890. During the steamboat era, St. Charles was a thriving river boat community, and this was its largest retail outlet. Founded by Joe Deane, who arrived here from Canada after migrating from London, England, the establishment operated until 1976. It was first managed by its founder, later by his son Ballard Deane, and finally by his widow, Estelle Walton Deane, serving for many years as a trading and social center of the community.