History of the Quincy Drug Store Est. 1875

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Quincy Drug Store History

Established in 1875

Chain of Ownership

c.1859, W. Ford advertised the sale of drugs and medicines, snuff, liquors, paints, oils, and tools. About the same time, A. P. Moore and Harlow W. Pierson also started a business selling dry goods, tools, drugs and medicines.  The business failed and was sold to Elijah Hewitt in 1864, but then reverted back to Moore possibly due to default in payments.  This time, Moore was successful in the mercantile business and sold out upon his retirement in 1872.

1872, Colonel James Rex Wyatt, operator of the Capital Saloon, purchased the property and fitted up the “Bank Building” so named because of the vault installed there to hold the gold and valuables entrusted to Wells, Fargo and Co.   This building is now the eastern extension of Forest Office Equipment.  Wyatt sold the business to Brainard Hughes November 18, 1857 who established his trade as Hughes Drug Store.

In 1878, B.B. Hughes added to his variety store an entire stock of drugs including prescription drugs.   On June 29, 1882, B.B. Hughes died at the age of 24.

In 1883, Wood and Company bought the Hughes store from his estate.  Dr. Barrett was in charge of prescription drugs.

In 1885, Edwin Huskinson and Bernard “Barney” Schneider bought the business.  Dr Barrett continued to fill prescriptions.  Huskinson sold out Schneider in 1889.  Schneider then purchased Kaulback’s property opposite Bradley Street where the present Quincy Drug Store is located.

1910, Huskinson returned after a 21 year absence and bought the business from his former partner, Schneider, for $3,000 paid in $20 gold pieces.  Asa Gray, first college graduate pharmacist to be associated with the business, began working for Huskinson.  One year later Asa Gray became co-owner of the business.  Mr. Gray took in a partner, George Stephen, and incorporated on June 26, 1911.  In 1915, Mrs. Francis Gray known as Ducky Gray installed a soda fountain.  The ice cream was hand made and packed fresh each day.  In 1921 Asa Gray bought out George Stephen. Mr. Gray died in 1928 and his widow managed the business.

In 1932, Barratt Huskinson, son of E. Huskinson, purchased the business from Ducky Gray.  S.L (Bill) Bailey, pharmacy graduate from U.C. Davis, came to work for Barrett Huskinson.  Bill was previously working for Huskinson’s Drug Store in Roseville, CA.  Bill moved his wife, Helen, and small daughter to Quincy in January 1932.

In August 1934, the Great Main Street Fire destroyed the Quincy Drug Store.

In December 1934 it was rebuilt in the same location as it is today.  In late 1930’s, Bill Bailey bought the business from Barratt Huskinson.  Mrs. Gladys Huskinson Robinson retained ownership of the building.

In 1946, Willard Van Gilder, a licensed pharmacist, went into partnership with Bill Bailey.  Upon Van Gilder’s death in 1963, his widow, Ruth Van Gilder, sold the interest back to Bill Bailey.

In 1963, Barratt Bailey, son of Bill Bailey graduated from UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy and returned to Quincy to work at Quincy Drug Store.

In 1968, Barratt and Peggy Bailey purchased the business.  In 1976, they purchased the building from Gladys Robinson.

In 1984, Dorothy Farrell, a licensed pharmacist, purchased a share (20%) of the business. The two partners worked together until they sold the business to Jim and Joanie Ellingson in October 1989.  The soda fountain was removed around 1988.  Jim Ellingson, a licensed pharmacist, owned the business for 14 years employing Barry Bailey as a relief pharmacist.  In 2003, Jim Ellingson also employed Michael Kibble, Doctorate in Pharmacy graduate from UC Davis as a relief pharmacist.

On October 31, 2003, Michael and Karen Kibble bought the business from the Ellingson’s .  On June 30, 2006, Barry and Peggy Bailey sold the building to Mike and Karen Kibble.  Since 1875, there have been only 4 owners of the building on Main Street.  Barry Schneider bought the property in 1875 and Edwin Huskinson bought the building in 1910 and rebuilt it after the 1934 fire.  The building remained in the Huckinson family until 1976 when Gladys Huckinson Robinson sold to Barry and Peggy Bailey.

Today, Jim Ellingson and Barry Barrett continue to work at Quincy Drug Store as relief pharmacists. Quincy Drug Store continues to serve the community with its old fashion friendly service selling prescription drugs, homemade buttery fudge, engraving services, Hallmark Cards, Yankee Candle, Cowboy Living, Beanpod Soy Candles, and many other fine gifts.  Quincy Drug Store is and remains one of the oldest continuously operating drug stores in California.