Benjamin's Department Store (1 of 2), Exmore, Virginia Eastern Shore (pop. 1500)
Exmore, Virginia Eastern Shore began developing as a transportation center and commercial hub in the southern reaches of the Delmarva Peninsula when the railroad came in the late 1800s. In 1910, things had progressed to the point that Benjamin's Department Store was built, a rare sight on the Eastern Shore. The unusually shaped building is pictured in these two photos; it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is described there as being late Victorian/Italianate in architecture. Exmore continued to thrive for years, but, surprisingly, the opening of the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge-Tunnel, which connected mainland Virginia directly to the southern tip of peninsula, sent Exmore into decline. Traffic could now readily cross over to Eastern Shore Virginia, but it would then speed up the new highway that bypassed Exmore (by the equivalent of just four or five blocks). That sent the commerce of Exmore into decline, also making the railroad less important (it eventually ceased operations). At some point, the department store was sold to the Peebles chain, and ultimately was closed. Exmore is a shadow of its former self, but is showing signs of renewal these days.
Benjamin's Department Store (1 of 2), Exmore, Virginia Eastern Shore (pop. 1500)
Exmore, Virginia Eastern Shore began developing as a transportation center and commercial hub in the southern reaches of the Delmarva Peninsula when the railroad came in the late 1800s. In 1910, things had progressed to the point that Benjamin's Department Store was built, a rare sight on the Eastern Shore. The unusually shaped building is pictured in these two photos; it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is described there as being late Victorian/Italianate in architecture. Exmore continued to thrive for years, but, surprisingly, the opening of the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge-Tunnel, which connected mainland Virginia directly to the southern tip of peninsula, sent Exmore into decline. Traffic could now readily cross over to Eastern Shore Virginia, but it would then speed up the new highway that bypassed Exmore (by the equivalent of just four or five blocks). That sent the commerce of Exmore into decline, also making the railroad less important (it eventually ceased operations). At some point, the department store was sold to the Peebles chain, and ultimately was closed. Exmore is a shadow of its former self, but is showing signs of renewal these days.