America's Oldest Spring SHop
In 1848 Joseph Palmer sailed from Liverpool, England to America with the dream of opening his own spring shop. A spring smith by trade, Joseph landed in Boston, Massachusetts and opened the J. Palmer's Carriage Spring Company in 1849. In 1856, finding only modest success in Boston, he relocated the business to Concord, New Hampshire. Joseph set up shop close-by to one of his best customers, the Abbot Downing Coachworks Company.
J. Palmer's Carriage Spring Company, later changed to J. Palmer & Co., and flourished in Concord for many years. In 1889, J. Palmer & Co. relocated to Charlestown, Massachusetts. Years later Joseph's Son, Joseph Benjamin Palmer, continued the business in Charlestown.
By the turn of the century, Joseph Benjamin's three sons Richard, Robert, and Reginald were each given a share of the company. It was decided that each brother was to set up their own separate spring shops in New England. Richard settled in Portland, Maine, Reginald opened shop in Providence, RI, and Robert took over command of the Charlestown, Massachusetts location.
The Palmer Spring Company in Providence, RI has been in its current location on the corner Dexter and Althea Streets since 1923. Since then, Palmer Spring has expanded its service capabilities to also include complete brake system diagnosis and repair, as well as complete front end repair, balancing and alignments. In 1985, Palmer Spring Co. acquired the Ace Spring Company, also in Providence. Today our sales and service team cover all of southern New England.
Six Generations
Joseph Palmer & grand-daughter Mildred1830-1895
Joseph Benjamin Palmer1857-1938
Reginald B. Palmer1896-1939
Reginald B. Palmer Jr.1919-1998
Douglas W. PalmerReginald B. Palmer IIIChristopher J. Palmer
Ryan D. Palmer (Pres.)