West Chester in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

G. Raymond Rettew

Photographed By William Pfingsten, May 31, 2008

1. G. Raymond Rettew Marker

Inscription. A West Chester chemist, he pioneered the mass production of penicillin, the world's first antibiotic. In 1943, with Wyeth Laboratories, his lab (a converted auto repair shop here) made & sent more penicillin to the Armed Forces than any other lab in the world, saving countless lives on the battlefields of World War II.

Erected 2002 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.

Location. 39° 57.715′ N, 75° 36.285′ W. Marker is in West Chester, Pennsylvania, in Chester County. Marker is at the intersection of E. Chestnut Street and N. Walnut Street, on the left when traveling west on E. Chestnut Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Chester PA 19380, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Simon Barnard Row (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Woman's Rights Convention of 1852 (about 500 feet away); Site of First School House in West Chester (about 500 feet away); Historic American Structure (about 500 feet away); Site of the First Schoolhouse

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(about 600 feet away); Historic West Chester, Pennsylvania Building (about 600 feet away); William Darlington (about 600 feet away); Bank of Chester County (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Chester.

Also see . . .
1. Explore PA History - G. Raymond Rettew. (Submitted on December 9, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
2. Chester County Historical Society - P is for Penicillin. (Submitted on December 9, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)

Additional commentary.
1. Penicillin - The Miracle Drug
What is the use of a miracle drug that never emerges from the lab? When World War II created the need for mass-produced penicillin, G. Raymond Rettew of West Chester was the man of the hour.

Rettew made his name in the 1930s producing mushroom spawn. He used this expertise in the quest for a dependable way to produce penicillin. Dr. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 but nobody had yet managed to harness this miracle fungus. Many pharmaceutical companies were working on ways to mass produce it. But it was Rettew and

Repair garage is now a parking garage. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Pfingsten, May 31, 2008

2. Repair garage is now a parking garage.

his business partner Joseph Strode who joined forces with drug company Wyeth. In June 1943 they delivered their first penicillin batch to the government.

— Submitted December 9, 2011, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

G. Raymond Rettew Marker - New Parking Structure image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith S Smith, February 9, 2012

3. G. Raymond Rettew Marker - New Parking Structure

This Marker was only recently reinstalled here. The Parking garage that had stood on this block for 30 years was torn down. During the razing of the old, and the construction of the new garage this marker was placed in safe storage.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,859 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 5, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on February 12, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.