Bakersfield in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Drug Store

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

1. Drug Store Marker

Inscription.
Treatment for illness and the maintenance of good health were important for the success of a new community.

Early pharmacists compounded prescription medicine with mortars and pestles, made their own pills, and sold popular patent medicines, which promised to cure a variety of ills.

Francis M. Carlock operated his dray and transfer business out of this building, which originally stood on 18th Street in downtown Bakersfield. A dray is a two- or four-wheeled wagon used for transporting heavy loads or objects such as large machines.

Frances M. Carlock’s daughter, Harriet Carlock, donated this building in 1955.

Erected by Kern County Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.

Location. 35° 23.553′ N, 119° 1.26′ W. Marker is in Bakersfield, California, in Kern County. It is on Chester Avenue. Marker is located at the southeast corner of the Bandstand Green section of Pioneer Village at the Kern County Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3801 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Miller and Lux Survey Office (a few steps from this marker); Doctor's Office

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(a few steps from this marker); The Caretta Bar (a few steps from this marker); Joss House (a few steps from this marker); Photographer’s Studio (a few steps from this marker); Weller House (a few steps from this marker); Bandstand (within shouting distance of this marker); Wells, Fargo & Company Express Office (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bakersfield.

Additional commentary.
1. Frances M. Carlock
Frances Carlock came to California during the Gold Rush. He worked the mining camps of the Sierras and then came to Kern County and took up ranching. He also was engaged in hauling feight between Delano and Bakersfield. He eventually went into merchandising and opened a shop in Bakersfield at 18th and Chester Streets. After a fire in 1889 he restocked and continued with his business. After he sold his mercantile he continued in the dray and transfer business until 1906 when he retired.

— Submitted December 9, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Drug Store and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

2. Drug Store and Marker

Photos Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

3. Photos Displayed on Marker

Upper Photo:
The interior of J.S. Drury's drug store, circa 1880.

Lower Photo:
J.S. Drury's drug store at 18th Street and Chester Avenue in Bakersfield, circa 1880.

4. Photos Displayed on Marker

Upper Photo:
Frances M. Carlock, circa 1910.

Lower Photo:
Frances M. Carlock's dray and transfer business (right) at 18th and K Streets in downtown Bakersfield in 1889.

Drug Store Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 27, 2009

5. Drug Store Building

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,355 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 9, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.