While most everyone knows that drug stores are mainstays in communities, some may not know that in times past, druggists also served not only as a medical ear for the locals, but also for their livestock.

Deck’s Drug Store has been a mainstay in Girard, Ill., since 1884. Today the memories of the drug store remain in the form of a museum, the building still filled with the cabinets and displays Bob Deck and his brother, Bill, have retained. The two even have an antiques store – Antiques, Books and Collectibles – next to the former drug store, which still operates an old-fashioned soda fountain.

The building the museum is in and the soda fountain are now owned by The Furniture Doctor – Bob and Renae Ernst – and the museum invites customers to sit down, take a load off and remember when. Most days, the Deck brothers have their lunch there, and are always glad to share memories.

“The drug store opened in 1884,” Bob Deck explained. Originally, Lewis C. Deck (L.C.) and B.F. Clark joined forces and purchased the store from George Post. A few years later, L.C. became the sole proprietor.

However, memories of the days they worked together linger. In the display there are some interesting-looking tonics under the name of Deck and Clark, such as a hair restorer (with no wording as to what it contains).

Bill and Bob wrote: “This was the time of tonics, remedies, liniments and cures. Pills were made by hand by carefully mixing the ingredients together, using a pill roller to form them into long pipes, then cutting the pipes into specific sizes and allowing them to dry before dispensing.

“No special training was required to be a pharmacist at that time. L.C. Deck continued in the business until his death in 1918.”
Sons Lewis – called “Bill” – and Harry – known as “Pete” – Deck continued the family business, and by then they could no longer use the word “cure” on labels, nor did they make pills by hand anymore. In 1929 they added the soda fountain that is still in use today.

While the second generation of Decks were working the trade, the third generation was learning as well, and after both older brothers died, Robert “Bob” and Wyman “Bill” Deck took over in 1960.
As I mentioned earlier, the drugstore was a one-stop shop for almost everything. Often a customer would go to one in lieu of going to the doctor and, sometimes, even the vet. “We carried products for chickens and cows. We even had things for coccidiosis!” Bill explained of the old days.

The old-fashioned coffee mill in the store also served as vet service, over the years. “Grandpa made formulas for farmers and vets using that,” he said. “We were asked lots of medical questions, like a doctor; that is why a druggist was often called ‘Doc.’”

The two retired in 2001, selling the store to a registered pharmacist who ran the drugstore for two years, then closed the doors. In 2007 The Furniture Doctor bought the building and opened the soda fountain and called it Doc’s Soda Fountain. At that time Doc’s opened, Bob and Bill were asked if they would move their pharmacy museum into the building.

“We are fortunate that our family did not throw things away,” Bob said. “Since this is on Route 66, people come from all over, even from other countries and states.”

Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Doc’s Soda Fountain/Deck’s Drug Store is located at 33 S. 2nd Street in Girard, Ill. For more information, call 217-627-3491.

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.