Galveston’s Old Drugstores

During the month of April, the Rosenberg Library will exhibit a number of interesting artifacts related to the history of pharmacy in the city.  These include a box of prescriptions from Star Drugstore from the 1920s, pill boxes from Leinbach’s and Garbade’s drugstores, and mortars and pestles for mixing medicines.  There is even a bottle of award-winning cologne made at Schott’s Drugstore in 1875. 

The history of pharmacy in Texas dates to 1682, when Spanish missionaries in El Paso began dispensing medicines to Native Americans who were suffering from epidemic disease.  During this period, herbs, concoctions, and even magic were used to treat the sick.  After Texas was settled, pioneer physicians continued to utilize local vegetation for home remedies and adopted methods developed by Native American medicine men.  Medicines were often prepared at a patient’s bedside from various herbs carried by doctors on horseback.  Eventually, Texas doctors began making up large quantities of different medicines and keeping supplies of these formulas stocked in their homes or offices.  These primitive “drugstores” evolved into the larger commercial industry of drug sale and manufacturing.

Most early drugstores were run by physicians who opened them in conjunction with their medical practices.  Later, individuals who trained as chemist-pharmacists became dealers in drugs and medicine.  They also distributed goods such as perfumes, colognes, soaps, mineral waters, fountain sodas, and candy.  In 1893, the state’s first pharmacy school opened at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. 

Prior to the 20^th century, there was little control over the sale and distribution of drugs.  Harmful narcotics, barbiturates, and other commonly abused or addictive drugs were prescribed without any regulations.  In 1929, the Texas Pharmacy Law was passed, requiring that any applicant for pharmacy registration must be a graduate of a recognized school of pharmacy.

The Treasure of the Month is located in the main library on the first floor of Rosenberg Library at 2310 Sealy Avenue.  It can be viewed Monday through Saturday during regular library hours.  For more information, please contact the Museum Office at 409-763-8854 x. 125.

Photo captions:

1.  This award-winning cologne was prepared at the J.J. Schott Drugstore in 1875.  It took home a silver medal from the Texas State Fair in Houston that year. (Gift of J.J. Schott).

2. Antique prescription box with orders from 1902-1920. The prescriptions were filled by various Galveston pharmacies including Witherspoon's, Garbade's, and Star Drug Store. (Gift of Edwards Pharmacy).

3. Mortars and pestles and pillboxes, ca. late 19^th and early 20^th century. (Gifts of the Morgan Family, the Estate of Alice Cavin, and Lise Darst).