land changed hands, and there was no longer a Muirhead presence at The Comer, although the Muirhead name remained in the community

until the death of Ellen Muirhead in 1954. William Chisholm had established a furniture factory at The Comer

by 1893, so when the Muirhead store closed Muirhead’s Comer became Chisholm’s Comer. William’s grandson, Heath, opened a village store in 1919 and, continuing the business started by his grandfather, opened Chisholm’s Funeral Home in 1953 on the northeast side of The Corner.

The store changed ownership several times, but Heath continued to

operate the Funeral Home until he passed away in 1977.22

Sheldon Dixon acquired the store in 1940 and expanded his floor space in 1951 by joining the Chisholm Furniture Factory to it. Dixon’s store served the community for more than 45 years and The Comer

gradually assumed the name Dixon’s Comer. Sheldon sold the store in 1986; it closed four years later.23 This once thriving commercial hub of

the community has lost its identity but still is referred to as The Comer by the local residents.

The Comer as seen from the air. To the north is Ives’ Pond flowing southeast into the Tryon River. Vernon Inman collection.

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