On March 22, 1901 A.R. Johnson opened its doors for business. Amos Ralph Johnson rented the Gristmill and Sawmill located on the bank of the Blackwater River in Potter Place. He began his business by custom grinding grain for local farmers.

In 1904, Amos was able to purchase the property and the mills. He took on a partner by the name of Charles Stevens. This partnership dissolved after a short period.

In 1910, Ralph Preston Johnson joined his father and helped run the Gristmill. Later that year, on November 13, Amos R. Johnson died at the age of 62.

Ralph kept the company running and re-built after a devastating fire. He continued to expand the business and purchased more property. In 1934, Ralph was joined in the business by his son, Amos Johnson. The company name was changed at this time to R.P. Johnson and Son. It was also at this time, that father and son recognized that the community needed a supplier of building materials. Together, they started creating the type of company we know today as R. P. Johnson & Son.

On December 24, 1950, Ralph Preston Johnson passed away at the age of 72. This left Amos E. Johnson to run the business alone.

In 1967 the Gristmill was converted from hydropower to electric motors. By 1969 building material sales accounted for 93% of the sales and the future was self-evident.

In 1975 and 1976, Steven and Bryan Johnson graduated from college respectively and joined their father in the family business. Steve worked with lumber and building supplies, while Bryan's focus was on the hardware store. R. P. Johnson & Son incorporated in 1971.

Since 1971, R. P. Johnson & Son has seen significant growth. The Home Center in Potter Place opened on November 15, 1981, offering hardware, paint, plumbing, electrical, kitchens & baths and lawn & garden.

On November 1, 1989, R. P. Johnson & Son purchased Eastman Building Supply on Sargent Road in Sunapee. In the spring of 1990, R P. Johnson & Son opened this second facility. The company's goal was to offer the same quality products, competitive prices and high level of customer service that has become the trademark of R. P. Johnson & Son.

Amos E. Johnson passed away on July 9, 1990 at the age of 74. This left his two sons, Steve and Bryan, to run R.P. Johnson and Son.

The company continued to grow. In 1997, Steve and Bryan looked to the future with plans to consolidate both the Lumberyard and Home Center on the 16-acre site directly across the street from the current Home Center.

In 1999, Bryan Johnson left the company to start his own business. This left Stephen as sole Johnson to run the company.

On June 1, 2000, R. P. Johnson & Son employees gathered at the new Drive-Thru site for an official ground-breaking ceremony. R. P. Johnson & Son opened its 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Drive-Thru Lumberyard on October 9, 2000.

The next expansion occurred in October 2002, when R.P. Johnson and Son opened the 5000 square feet Showcase next to the Drive-Thru Lumberyard. This facility features displays of Marvin windows and doors, Cabico, Crystal, and Kemper cabinets; cabinet hardware; and countless selections of granite, Corian and Formica countertops.

R.P. Johnson and Son have future plans to build a new and much larger Home Center on the same property as the Lumber Yard and Showcase.

The Company continues to focus on providing excellent customer service, up-to-date facilities, and the highest quality of products. We hope you will come visit us and discover first hand why we have been in business since 1901.