Summerville in Dorchester County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Guerin's Pharmacy

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 13, 2023

1. Guerin's Pharmacy Marker
(east side)

Inscription.
Guerin's Pharmacy, founded in 1871 by Henry C. Guerin, is the oldest operating pharmacy in S.C. Guerin was a Charleston physician who served as Chief Commissary for S.C. during the Civil War. Afterwards he moved to Summerville and bought Schweatman Drug Store, which was operating from the home of Mrs. R.W. Myers. Guerin moved the business to a frame building at its current site. Henry's son Joseph Guerin received his pharmacy degree in 1892 and took over the business.

About 1895 the one-story building was replaced by a two-story wooden structure that was brick veneered with a one-story addition in 1925. Herbert Dunning was hired as pharmacist in 1910 and eventually owned the drug store. After Herbert’s death in 1975 his nephew Charles Dunning bought the drug store. Upon Charles' death In 2014 his daughter Barbara became pharmacist in charge. Guerin's Pharmacy is the oldest continuously operating business in Summerville.

Erected 2018 by South Carolina Department of Archives and History; sponsored by Summerville Preservation Society. (Marker Number 18-23.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location.

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33° 1.153′ N, 80° 10.573′ W. Marker is in Summerville, South Carolina, in Dorchester County. It is at the intersection of South Main Street (Little Main) (Alternate U.S. 17) and West Richardson Avenue, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street (Little Main). Marker is located beside the sidewalk, near the southeast corner of the subject building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 140 South Main Street, Summerville SC 29483, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mayor Berlin G. Myers (within shouting distance of this marker); Jewish Life (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Summerville Water Works (about 600 feet away); Timrod Library (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Timrod Library (approx. ¼ mile away); Alston Graded School / Alston High School (approx. ¼ mile away); The Axtell Dam at Sawmill Branch (approx. 0.6 miles away); Summerville High School / Coach John McKissick (1926-2019) (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Summerville.

Also see . . . Guerin’s Pharmacy. SC Picture Project website entry:

Guerin’s Pharmacy in downtown Summerville has the distinction of not only being the oldest pharmacy in South Carolina, but also Summerville’s longest running business. The story of Guerin’s pharmacy begins with Dr. C.F. Schwettmann, who moved from Charleston to Summerville during
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 13, 2023

2. Guerin's Pharmacy Marker
(west side)
the Civil War to open a drugstore.

(Submitted on May 19, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Guerin's Pharmacy Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 13, 2023

3. Guerin's Pharmacy Marker

(looking west along Richardson Avenue)

Guerin's Pharmacy (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 13, 2023

4. Guerin's Pharmacy (southeast elevation)

(marker is located beside the sidewalk • on left)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 755 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 19, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.