Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Timberman Brothers
City of Alexandria Est. 1749
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 30, 2018
At the turn of the 20th century, Alexandria was home to at least a dozen pharmacies, two of them associated with the name Timberman. Charles Parke Custis Timberman and other brother John Elmer Winfield Timberman were born near Pohick Church in 1878 and 1876 respectively, and their early years were spent at "Rosehill Farm" just outside of Alexandria. However during their late childhood, the family moved to 209 S. Fairfax Street, which was considered the family homestead for many decades.
Charles Timberman operated a pharmacy with Richard Gibson, known as Gibson & Timberman, at 824 King Street until 1904, when their partnership was dissolved. He then moved to Philadelphia to accept a position with a drug firm in that city. He died in 1917 and was buried in Alexandria.
John Timberman took the state examination to become a pharmacist in 1895, and soon after took a position at a drug store located at King and North Washington Streets, owned and operated by Ernest L. Allen. After Dr. Allen's death in 1906, he took over the proprietorship. The pharmacy, pictured here in the 1920's, was known as Timberman's Drug Store. Although John Timberman retired in 1943, the pharmacy retained his business name under the leadership of Francis X. Nugent, who began work at Timberman's in 1917 and remained there until 1973. Around 1950, Timberman's relocated next door to 106 North Washington Street when the estate of Ernest Allen's son, William, decided to sell the property. At the new site, Nugent added an angled neon sign to highlight the otherwise non-descript façade, and that sign was incorporated into the collections of the Office of Historic Alexandria when the drug store finally closed in 2004.
Although the handsome 19th century structure was demolished in 1954 to make way for a more modest two story structure, the "ghost" of its roofline can still be seen on the east side of the building at 703 King Street.
Erected by City of Alexandria.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, The City of Alexandria series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.
Location. 38° 48.299′ N, 77° 2.81′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town. Marker is at the intersection of King Street and South Washington Street (Virginia Route 400), on the right when traveling east on King Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 622 King Street, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lee-Fendall House (a few steps from this marker); The Alexandria Lyceum (within
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 30, 2018
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 30, 2018
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 30, 2018
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 30, 2018
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 291 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 31, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.