Marshall in Calhoun County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Patent Medicine Town
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 12, 2021
1. Patent Medicine Town Marker
Inscription.
Patent Medicine Town. . More than fifty medicine companies have operated out of Marshall. Thirty-seven of these emerged from 1895 to 1905, the heyday of over-the-counter remedies known as “patent medicines.” Before the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, some unregulated companies made exaggerated claims for products such as electric belts and pills to “restore lost manhood.” Many companies were short-lived, but two in Marshall continued for decades: the F. A. Stuart Co. (1892-1956) and the Brooks Rupture Appliance Co. (1880-2003).
More than fifty medicine companies have operated out of Marshall. Thirty-seven of these emerged from 1895 to 1905, the heyday of over-the-counter remedies known as “patent medicines.” Before the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, some unregulated companies made exaggerated claims for products such as electric belts and pills to “restore lost manhood.” Many companies were short-lived, but two in Marshall continued for decades: the F. A. Stuart Co. (1892-1956) and the Brooks Rupture Appliance Co. (1880-2003).
Erected 2018 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan History Center. (Marker Number L2324.)
Location. 42° 16.315′ N, 84° 57.585′ W. Marker is in Marshall, Michigan, in Calhoun County. Marker is on West Michigan Avenue, 0.1 miles east of South Eagle Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 W Michigan Ave, Marshall MI 49068, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 127 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
