6 Old-Timey General Stores In The Pacific Northwest

Whether resting in the shadows of towering peaks in Washington or hunkering down in Oregon’s stunning valleys, these six old-timey general stores across the Pacific Northwest offer more than just provisions. They provide a connection to the communities they serve. These charming outposts, like the Index General Store in Washington and Oregon’s Butteville General Store, McKenzie General Store, and Mohawk General Store, carry a rich history often reflected in their surroundings. While some were built to meet the needs of miners and loggers, others welcomed weary travelers at the end of a long day. One thing these stores have in common is that they have evolved into unique gathering places that celebrate the past while catering to modern adventurers.

Index General Store, Index

The Index General Store in the tiny hamlet of Index, Washington, sits resolutely at the base of 5,900-foot Mount Index, a peak in the Cascade Range in Snohomish County. Once a hub of mining, logging, and quarrying activity in the 1930s, the small town is now a destination for outdoor enthusiasts between Seattle and Leavenworth. It mainly attracts rock climbers who are drawn to the unique, colossal 1,000-foot granite wall known as the Index Town Wall.

With its rustic exterior, the Index General Store boasts an old-timey, nostalgic charm, serving as a welcoming stop for both locals and travelers seeking everyday essentials, souvenirs, fresh produce, and locally made artisanal products. There is a small bench out front to relax, and people can grab chips, drinks, and small food items for a quick snack. Behind the store lie scenic forests, perfect for an aesthetic and rustic photo. The store itself is one of the oldest buildings in the area, and was a hit during the 1970s. For fans of campy movies, stop by the Espresso Chalet on your way out of town for a selfie with a 14-foot-tall wooden carving of Bigfoot, and see the film location used in the 1987 film, “Harry and the Hendersons.”

Butteville General Store, Butteville

Welcome to the oldest continuously operating retail establishment in Oregon, the Butteville General Store, whose history is as long and colorful as the store itself. The store sits on property that was initially part of a Donation Land Claim filed in 1851, but later acquired by Henry C. Fleckenstein in 1870, a merchant who distilled Bourbon whiskey behind the store. In 1887, the store was purchased by J.J. Ryan, who sold tobacco and general provisions. When J.J. Ryan handed the store down to his son in 1910, it was renamed the Josie Ryan General Merchandise. Following the demise of Ryan’s wife and partner in the store, the store was sold and changed hands at least eleven times.

By 1960, the store sold gasoline and a variety of general merchandise. In 1999, the store was donated to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, which currently owns the store and nearby Champoeg State Park. It is a specialty food store and café, in which you’ll find ice cream, cold drinks, sandwiches, and last-minute camping gear and supplies.

Frenchglen Mercantile, Frenchglen

The history of the Frenchglen Mercantile is intrinsically linked to the town’s founding, cattle ranching, and a man named Peter French, who settled in Oregon in 1872 with 1,200 head of cattle, financially backed by Dr. Hugh Glenn of California. It’s probably a safe assumption that the names French+Glenn were the origin of this small town’s moniker, located in the heart of the Donner und Blitzen River valleys of southeast Oregon. Peter French went on to establish the French-Glenn Livestock Company, with livestock roaming 100,000 acres of land, known as the P Ranch. Sadly, during a land dispute, French was shot in the head by a homesteader.

The P Ranch grew, and a hotel was built in the 1920s to accommodate visitors to the ranch. The main store from the P Ranch headquarters, the Frenchglen Mercantile, was relocated to town. Today, Peter French’s indelible mark on the community can still be seen around town and in the iconic old-West general store. The quaint, old-fashioned store offers a variety of goods and essential items for visitors exploring Frenchglen, the Steens Mountain, or the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, renowned for its wildlife and bird-watching opportunities. Even outside, its wooden facade and the painted wording on its roof have an aura of the past.

McKenzie General Store, McKenzie Bridge

Discovering the McKenzie General Store in the middle of the Willamette National Forest is like finding a surprise at the bottom of an old box of Cracker Jack. Built in 1932, the general store in the small town of McKenzie Bridge, located in Central Oregon, is approximately an hour east of Eugene. It caters to road-weary travelers looking to stock up on supplies before hitting the road, grab a drink at the dog-friendly Biergarten, or enjoy bacon on an Obsidian Chicken Sandwich by the fire pit at the Obsidian Grill out back. The historic store offers an unusual blend of old-time charm and modern convenience, with shelves stocked with specialty grocery items, locally made beer and wine, and made-in-Oregon merch. The beloved local institution sits right off the McKenzie Highway alongside the pristine McKenzie River.

Olney Saloon and General Store, Astoria

The Olney Saloon and General Store (cheekily called the Big O Saloon by locals) in Olney is a ten-minute drive from downtown Astoria—an underrated gem for nature lovers in the Pacific Northwest. It is also the only commercial establishment on Highway 202, according to owner Dale Searls, who took over the unique property in the 2000s. A combination watering hole, made-to-order cookhouse, convenience store, friendly bar, and old-timey general store are decorated like a logging camp, right down to the hand-milled bar the owner made. Local loggers have donated the rest of the bar’s outdoorsy decor.

The unusual Olney Saloon and General Store is much-loved by the local community. They use the establishment like an impromptu cultural center, hosting events such as Paint and Sip nights, pig roasts, and live music. It’s also popular with truckers making regular runs along Highway 202, who stop to fill up on basic supplies at the quaint general store and top up the tank at the lone gas pump out front.

Mohawk General Store, Springfield

The 6,000 square-foot Mohawk General Store has been part of Mohawk’s history for over 100 years. The store was built in 1914, thanks to an agreement signed March 14, 1914, between the store’s original owners, M.L. Hammitt and Kathleen Hammitt, and members of the Mohawk Brass Band. The Hammitts supplied the building materials, and the band contributed all the labor to construct the store. In exchange, the general store let the band use the second floor for band practices, concerts, and dances. According to records, a small side room in the upstairs former dance hall still has the words “band room” painted on the door. The dance hall closed in the 1950s due to fire regulations.

Today, the Mohawk General Store, with its original floors and square nails, pays tribute to its storied past with vintage photographs of the store, including a picture of the 14-member Mohawk Brass Band posing with their instruments. There are also photos of nearby buildings like the Donna Train Depot and the Mohawk Lumber Mill, once located across the street but now long gone. The general store sells a wide variety of food items, beer, wine, dairy products, and pet supplies.

Summary

Forget the big-box retailers; in the Pacific Northwest states of Oregon and Washington, old-timey general stores reign supreme. These charming spots, such as the Olney Saloon and General Store, the Frenchglen Mercantile, and the Mohawk General Store, are steeped in history and community spirit, from serving as community hubs for loggers, hikers, and locals alike to hosting brass band dances once upon a time, or preserving remnants of pioneer life. These general stores offer so much more than goods. With every creak of the floorboards, they remind tourists that the stories within their walls make visiting these stores a journey just as rewarding as the destination.