Richards-McNaughton Store

Shortly after the Townsite of Benville was subdivided in 1916, the title to this lot was acquired by David Sexsmith, a trader, merchant and homesteader who had first set foot in the district in 1898. Sexsmith proceeded to construct a log building on this site which became the community’s first store. Three years later the property was taken over by Jim and Bill McNaughton and their brother-in-law, Judd Richards. They moved the log structure to the back of the lot and built this general store, which was then one of the largest in the district. The partners operated this store, and sold oil and farm machinery too, throughout the roaring 1920’s, the dark days of the Depression, and during the tense years of World War II. In 1946, they sold the store to Carl and Selma Larson. With their sons, Ken and Lloyd gradually taking over management, Larson’s General Store continued to do a lively business until 1963 when taken over by Herb and George Shields. The Richards-McNaughton Store provides structural evidence of the vitality of the northern prairie farming community of Sexsmith during the early and middle part of the 20th century. With its wide bay windows and flat roof, it is a fine example of the storefront architecture which prevailed on the prairies at that time. In 2020, the building was designated a municipal historic resource.