Currin's for Drugs

Originally established by Smith & Miner as the ‘North Bank Pharmacy’ in the French Block during 1906. The first prescription sold for 25 cents. The French Block was a two-story brick building on the corner of Lombard and Oswego. Clarence and Zula Currin purchased the store in 1909 and moved the location to a building near the corner of Jersey and Leavitt. In 1917 they upgraded their store again, this time leasing the building on 106 W Philadelphia St. (7334 N Philadelphia Ave.) Their final location was at 8438 N Lombard St.

Just to the right of the street car is Currin's for Drugs. St. Johns Pharmacy was in the Cochran Block, their sign can be seen on the right. Photo from A Pictorial History of St. Johns. Click to Enlarge

Currin's for Drugs Klamath Falls store February 1923.

1931 Advertisement

VINTAGE PORTLAND - Currin's for Drugs - 1932

Currin's for Drugs 7334 N Philadelphia May 1934

The Currin family sold the drug store in October 1961 to Elise and Wayne Hatch, who kept the old name. By the 1980s competition from larger stores was causing a dwindling clientele. Currins became a Western Union certified location to drum up more business. After 91 years the pharmacy closed in 1997. Pay Less purchased the building and stock after it closed.

May 23, 1985. Wayne Hatch of Currins for Drugs with Cornet store in background at Lombard and Leavitt.

St. Johns Pharmacy

Everhart Drug Store moving from 8635 N Jersey to 8622 N Jersey June 1934. Opened at 8625 N Jersey 1925 .

The St Johns Pharmacy was the first drug store in St Johns. It opened in May of 1905 where the Slim's building is now. They later moved across the street next to what is now the Central Hotel building.

This advertisement is from May 19, 1905 St Johns Review.

It is believed the St. Johns Pharmacy, owned by a Mr. Grite or Grice, was first located at 108 N. Jersey. After a short time they moved across the street to 111 N. Jersey. Prior to 1931 St. Johns Pharmacy was purchased by Lee Witty.

Photo taken in 1914

St Johns Review 7/25/24

St Johns Review 8/29/24

1931 Advertisement

By 1931 Lee Witty had relocated to 116 S. Jersey.

Photo taken in 1950. Note that Lee Witty's St. Johns Pharmacy is now known as St. John's Drugs. Originally 116 S. Jersey it became 8501 N Jersey after the renumbering.

Everhart Drug Company

1931 Advertisement

Like the St. Johns Pharmacy Frank Everhart's Rexall Drugstore had started out in what is now the Slim's building, 108 N. Jersey, eventually moving to 111 N Jersey. In time this was to become the location of St. Johns Booksellers. From reading Dr William J Gilstrap's (1870-1957) memoirs we learn Frank Everhart prior to opening a drug store in St Johns had purchased, along with a Mr. Farr in the Spring of 1907, the Yamhill Drug Company which was then located in Sheridan,Oregon. At that time Farr was a registered druggist but Everhart was not. Gilstrap has two spellings for Everhart's last name - Eberhardt and Eberhart. Gilstrap was a doctor, surgeon, and druggist who's office was in the heart of St Johns for many years.

Everhart Drug Company 1936

Everhart's Rexall Drugstore can be seen on the left in this April 1952 photo.

Glenn Davis became a partner in Frank Everhart's drugstore in 1933. After Frank Everhart retired Glenn and his wife Marguerite took over complete ownership of the business.

St. Johns Rexall Drug

Glenn Davis April 1952

St Johns Drugstore Remodel 8501 N. Jersey - May 17, 1952

In 1952 Glenn Davis bought out Lee Witty's interest in St. Johns Drugs, closed his Everhart's Rexall Drug, moving the combined businesses into Witty's location at 8501 N. Lombard.

February 1959 St Johns Rexall

The St Johns Rexall Drug store was purchased in 1976 by Ken Tehair, who in 1981 turned the business over to Jerry Rood. Ultimately the store was forced to close because of competition from major chain stores.

1960's photo from Robin Smith. Rexall Drugs (now Pattie's Home Plate) and the Cornet store (now Children's Relief Nursery-Lifeworks in the background.