An Arizona woman spent 3 years turning an old general store into a 1-bedroom home to fulfill her late husband's wishes. She's listing it for $1.1 million — take a look inside.

Amanda GohSep 14, 2022, 13:03 IST

The exterior of the Old Pearce Mercantile in Arizona.Patsy Nyberg/Realty ONE Group Integrity

An old general store that was built in 1895 in Pearce, Arizona, is on the market for $1.1 million.
Patricia Burris, the homeowner, restored the building in 2019.

Tucked away in the ghost town of Pearce, Arizona, is a 127-year-old general store. Patricia Burris bought the building with her late husband Michael in 1996. Now, more than two decades later, she's listing it for $1.1 million.

The exterior of the Pearce Merchantile in the 1950s.Arizona State Parks Board

Tucked away in the ghost town of Pearce, Arizona, is a 127-year-old general store. Patricia Burris bought the building with her late husband Michael in 1996. Now, more than two decades later, she's listing it for $1.1 million.

As a historian, it had been Michael's dream to restore the Old Pearce Mercantile to its former glory. After he died, Patricia spent three years fulfilling his wishes.

The interiors of the museum section of the building.Patsy Nyberg/Realty ONE Group Integrity

Burris decorated the place with antiques and period furniture, turning it into a one-bedroom home with a museum dedicated to the former mining town's history.

The building is now part-museum, part-residence.Patsy Nyberg/Realty ONE Group Integrity

One of the most unique artifacts in the Old Pearce Mercantile is its wooden doorway, Nyberg said. It used to be the entrance to a post office from the nearby town of Tombstone.

The wooden doorway to the Old Pearce Mercantile was the former entrance of a post office in Tombstone, Arizona, that had been brought over.Patsy Nyberg/Realty ONE Group Integrity

One of the most unique artifacts in the Old Pearce Mercantile is its wooden doorway, Nyberg said. It used to be the entrance to a post office from the nearby town of Tombstone.

The one-bedroom apartment is in the back of the building.

The open-concept dining and kitchen area in the apartment wing of the Old Pearce Mercantile.Patsy Nyberg/Realty ONE Group Integrity

Burris ensured that the antique appliances, including the vintage stove and refrigerator, are in working condition, Nyberg said.

There is a working antique refrigerator in the kitchen.Patsy Nyberg/Realty ONE Group Integrity

While the apartment only has one bedroom, future owners can add more rooms and turn the place into a vacation rental.

The bedroom.Patsy Nyberg/Realty ONE Group Integrity

One of her favorite memories from the renovation process was when the building inspector came around, Burris told Insider via Nyberg.

There are two full bathrooms on the property.Patsy Nyberg/Realty ONE Group Integrity

Out back, there's a working blacksmith shop. Over Thanksgiving weekend, it usually hosts live demonstrations by blacksmiths, Nyberg said.

The vintage working blacksmith shop.Patsy Nyberg/Realty ONE Group Integrity

There's also a garage on the compound that currently houses antique horse carts.

Antique horse carts in the garage.Patsy Nyberg/Realty ONE Group Integrity

Now that she's completed her late husband's dream, Burris is looking to hand off the Old Pearce Mercantile to a new caretaker.

The house is filled with antique treasures that were sourced by the current owners.Patsy Nyberg/Realty ONE Group Integrity

Burris is selling the property because it's too much work for her to maintain alone, Nyberg said.

The exterior of the Old Pearce Mercantile in Arizona.Patsy Nyberg/Realty ONE Group Integrity

Ferrari's first-ever SUV has 715 horsepower and a top speed of 193 mph: See the one-of-a-kind $390,000 Purosangue

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

An Arizona woman spent 3 years turning an old general store into a 1-bedroom home to fulfill her late husband's wishes. She's listing it for $1.1 million &mdash; take a look inside.

Tucked away in the ghost town of Pearce, Arizona, is a 127-year-old general store. Patricia Burris bought the building with her late husband Michael in 1996. Now, more than two decades later, she's listing it for $1.1 million.

As a historian, it had been Michael's dream to restore the Old Pearce Mercantile to its former glory. After he died, Patricia spent three years fulfilling his wishes.

Burris decorated the place with antiques and period furniture, turning it into a one-bedroom home with a museum dedicated to the former mining town's history.

One of the most unique artifacts in the Old Pearce Mercantile is its wooden doorway, Nyberg said. It used to be the entrance to a post office from the nearby town of Tombstone.

The one-bedroom apartment is in the back of the building.

Burris ensured that the antique appliances, including the vintage stove and refrigerator, are in working condition, Nyberg said.

While the apartment only has one bedroom, future owners can add more rooms and turn the place into a vacation rental.

One of her favorite memories from the renovation process was when the building inspector came around, Burris told Insider via Nyberg.

Out back, there's a working blacksmith shop. Over Thanksgiving weekend, it usually hosts live demonstrations by blacksmiths, Nyberg said.

There's also a garage on the compound that currently houses antique horse carts.

Now that she's completed her late husband's dream, Burris is looking to hand off the Old Pearce Mercantile to a new caretaker.

Burris is selling the property because it's too much work for her to maintain alone, Nyberg said.

An Arizona woman spent 3 years turning an old general store into a 1-bedroom home to fulfill her late husband's wishes. She's listing it for $1.1 million — take a look inside.