Local Provisions & Old Traditions: A Look Back at E. C. Palmer’s Sakonnet Market

E. C. Palmer — Sakonnet Market (Meat and Fish) as advertised in 1934.

Flipping through the pages of local history offers a fascinating glimpse into how our coastal community used to operate. Take a look at this advertisement from the 1934 Little Compton Village Improvement Society Summer Locater:

E. C. PALMER

Sakonnet Market—Meat and Fish

TEL. 150

While simple and direct by today's standards, this small ad tells a big story about life in town during the 1930s.

  • The Local Merchant: E. C. Palmer ran Sakonnet Market, serving as a key source for fresh meats and fish for both year-round residents and seasonal visitors in Little Compton.

  • A Three-Digit Phone Number: Long before modern ten-digit dialing or cell phones, reaching your local butcher was as simple as asking the operator for "150".

  • The Summer Locater: Published by the Little Compton Village Improvement Society, the directory was an essential guide for navigating local commerce and connecting the community each summer.

It’s small historical artifacts like this ad that remind us of Little Compton's deep roots and close-knit community history.

Do you or your family have any old stories, photos, or memories of E. C. Palmer or Sakonnet Market? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear them!

This post contains an affiliate link. If you make a purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the Little Compton Blog!

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