Description of Historic Place

Located on Main Street in the Village of Rexton, Palmer’s Store and lot now form a portion of a larger retail complex. This 1 ½-storey wood framed building indicates its original form.

Heritage Value

Palmer’s Store building is designated a Local Historic Place because of its association with a time in the history of Rexton when general stores were a common site despite much competition and difficult economic times.

A few years before Phineas Palmer took ownership of the property from James Glendenning, merchant, an 1883 listing of business establishments in the village with a population of 600 indicated there were 17 general stores in the village.

Palmer’s Store is one and one-half storey wood framed building with the original placement of the main door and two large windows on either side. It was located adjacent to H.O. Stewart’s General Store which sold basically the same goods of boots, shoes, dry goods and groceries. Shopkeeper for 45 years, the Palmer’s store operated during the years of both World Wars. Phineas Palmer was said to be a diligent shopkeeper.

Source: Village of Rexton Local Historic Places File # 2006-4

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe Palmer’s Store include:
- location on Main street next to the sidewalk;
- original placement of the main door and two large windows on either side;
- adjacent to buildings of a commercial nature.