Palmerston Park was first opened in 1919, when Queen of the South were formed, although
football had been played at the site since the 1870s. The site of the ground was formerly a farm called Palmers Toun. This is on the
Maxwelltown side of the
River Nith in Dumfries.
Jimmy McKinnell,
Tom Wylie and
Willie McCall were all sold to
Blackburn Rovers around the same time by Queen of the South. This combined with the sale of
Ian Dickson to
Aston Villa helped to fund the purchase of Palmerston Park in 1921 for £1,500. The Portland Drive Terrace was covered with a roof in 1959, although the floodlights were installed beforehand, as these were first used in a match versus
Preston North End in October 1958. These are the tallest free standing floodlights in Scottish football, standing at 85 feet. The current main stand was constructed in 1965, soon after the original had burned down. On the east side of the ground "Jimmy Jolly's Bullshed", later known as the "Coo Shed", was originally named after one of the founder members of the club in 1919, when it was built around 1933 as the club reached the first division for the first time. This was replaced by an all seater stand in 1995 and was named the East Stand. A challenge game was held in April 1995 to commemorate the opening of the new stand and Queens' 75th anniversary against
Rangers. Guest players for Queens in the 2–2 draw included
Davie Irons, future managers
Rowan Alexander and
Ian McCall,
Ted McMinn,
Andy Thomson. Scenes from the film
A Shot at Glory, starring
Robert Duvall, were shot at Palmerston Park during 1999. The club was relegated to the
Scottish Second Division in 2012, but carried out some remedial work to the stadium, including new water systems and ticket offices. A redevelopment of the 1960s main stand is planned. After the club's final home game of the 2012–13 season, the club sold the turf for £10 per square yard as well as auctioning seven special lots. ==Structure and facilities==