There’s no exact recipe for success when it comes to business longevity. Some of America’s oldest companies have also been owned by the same family for their entire history. Others managed to survive fires, economic downturns, Prohibition, and anything and everything that might bring down an otherwise well-run shop or restaurant.
One constant among the list of the oldest business in each state plus D.C. is that no matter the industry, these long-lasting companies are beloved by their communities and trusted by their patrons.
There are a lot of restaurants and bars on the list, and a good number of farms and jewelers. A few newspapers and funeral homes appear, along with a ferry service. And the oldest business in the U.S. predates America’s founding by more than 150 years.
Alabama: Bromberg’s
Founded: 1836
Locations: Birmingham and Mobile
Type: Jewelry
Prussian immigrant Frederick Bromberg established his eponymous store just 18 years after Alabama became a state. It’s one of the oldest family-owned businesses in the U.S. and is currently operated by the sixth generation of Brombergs.
Alaska: Alaska Commercial Co.
Founded: 1867
Locations: 33 stores statewide
Type: Grocery and general
This chain traces its roots to Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, who in 1776 gave trading rights to its predecessor, the Russian American Trading Co. When the U.S. bought Alaska from Russia in 1867, San Francisco merchants Lewis Gerstle and Louis Sloss purchased the trading company and since then it has been operating stores across Alaska under its current name.
Arizona: The Palace
Founded: 1877
Location: Prescott
Type: Restaurant and bar
The Palace opened in 1877 as one of 40-plus bars on Prescott’s aptly named Whiskey Row (there are far fewer now). It was a favorite watering hole of the Earp brothers, Wyatt and Virgil, and their friend Doc Holliday. It’s often named on American best-of bar lists, and today the actual bar is all that remains from the original saloon.
Arkansas: Rose Law Firm
Founded: 1820
Location: Little Rock
Type: Law practice
Rose was established 16 years before Arkansas’ statehood and is the oldest law firm west of the Mississippi River. The partnership agreement between Robert Crittenden and Chester Ashley still hangs in the office’s boardroom.
California: Ducommun
Founded: 1849
Location: Santa Ana
Type: Aerospace manufacturer
Originally a hardware store, Ducommun was integral to the birth of the aerospace industry in Southern California in the early 20th century. Today the company manufactures electronic and structural systems for aerospace, defense and industrial markets.
Colorado: R&R Market
Founded: 1857
Location: Costilla
Type: Grocery and general
The original store was a modest 20-by-40 foot structure with 25-inch thick adobe walls sitting atop a rock and mud foundation. R&R holds a special place in the Hispanic and overall history of Colorado. Today it’s operated by Felix Romero, a descendant of original owner Dario Gallegos.
Connecticut: Field View Farm
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Founded: 1639
Location: Orange
Type: Dairy and farm equipment manufacturer
Twelve generations of the Hine family have operated this farm, which is the fourth-oldest business in the U.S. In 1996, it branched out from its dairy operation and began selling farm machinery after the business was nearly lost in a devastating fire.
Delaware: DuPont
Founded: 1802
Location: Wilmington
Type: Conglomerate
Originally a gunpowder mill, DuPont is now the world’s fourth-largest chemical company and has been involved in crucial industrial breakthroughs in world history. DuPont is also responsible for developing many things common to our daily lives, such as polymers like Lycra, synthetic paints and refrigerants.
Florida: Pensacola Hardware
Founded: 1851
Location: Pensacola
Type: Hardware
Only two families, the Averys and the Martins, have operated this hardware store in Florida’s panhandle. The store credits its longevity to its willingness to change with the times and offer customers exactly what they want.
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