Before the surge in the popularity of the world’s big-box stores and online shopping, old-fashioned general stores were the staple of the American West. These stores had pretty much everything you could think of at the time. They were always stocked up on the essential dry goods and tools, as well as fabrics and medicines to keep the frontier communities running well. We’ll take a look at 15 of the old-fashioned general stores that once served the American West.
1. The Brick Store (Bath, New Hampshire)
The longest continuously operated general store in the U.S., known for its smoked meats and maple syrup. Any store that’s been the longest in operation and is selling smoked meats is in an iconic place.
2. Floyd County Store (Floyd, Virginia)
Famous for bluegrass music and weekly jamborees. If you were lucky enough to attend one of those weekly jamborees, you were really in for a treat.
3. Brown & Hopkins Country Store (Chepachet, Rhode Island)
A 219-year-old shop featuring antiques and a pot-bellied stove. The pot-bellied stove is truly in a league of its own.
4. Randsburg General Store (Randsburg, California)
A relic from the 1890s gold rush, complete with a soda fountain. If you ever get to check out that old soda fountain, consider yourself very lucky indeed.
5. Way Way Store (Saco, Maine)
A century-old shop with a mid-century vibe and original gas pumps. It’s really those original gas pumps that give this spot such an undeniable level of authenticity.
6. Nagley’s General Store (Talkeetna, Alaska)
Established during the Alaska gold rush and is known for its resident cats. What else could you need?
7. Russell’s General Store (Bovina, New York)
Open since 1919, it still offers gas, provisions, and local goods. You’ve got to respect that kind of longevity in this unforgiving day and age.
8. Marine General Store (Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota)
The oldest operating general store in Minnesota. It’s been no easy feat keeping the store up and running.
9. Berdine’s Five & Dime (Harrisville, West Virginia)
A century-old shop that once sold items for just a dime. If only things were still like that. We’re looking at you, $10 cartons of eggs.
10. Rabbit Hash General Store (Rabbit Hash, Kentucky)
Known for its old-time charm and historical significance, you can still make out what gave this particular old-fashioned general store such an undeniable allure.
11. Old Forge Hardware (Old Forge, New York)
A close example of a traditional general store, selling everything from hardware to clothing. The whole idea of a one-stop-shop only soared in popularity throughout the years.
12. Old St. Vincent’s Trading Post (Missouri)
A historic store that served pioneers along the Mississippi. The importance of having these stores spread throughout the Mississippi for travelers can’t be expressed enough.
13. South Pass Trading Co. (Wyoming)
Once an important stop on the Oregon Trail, now one can get adventuresome and tour the old grounds that are still rich in history.
14. Pioneer Store (New Mexico)
A preserved example of an 1800s general store serving frontier communities.
15. Murphy & Dolan Mercantile (Lincoln, New Mexico)
This infamous store played a pivotal role in the Lincoln County War. The war itself involved a violent conflict led by Billy the Kid in the 1870s. The store served as the dominant business in Lincoln County, controlling both trade and supplies.
