Jamestown in Stutsman County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Elizabeth White

White Drug Pharmacy

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2024

1. Elizabeth White Marker

Inscription. The first female registered pharmacist in the Dakota Territory. She, with her husband, opened the first White Drug in Jamestown in 1884.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine • Women. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 46° 54.45′ N, 98° 42.499′ W. Marker is in Jamestown, North Dakota, in Stutsman County. It is at the intersection of 1st Avenue South (U.S. 52/281) and 2nd Street Southeast, on the right when traveling north on 1st Avenue South. The marker is embedded in the sidewalk near the southeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 205 1st Avenue South, Jamestown ND 58401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Dakota’s Drift Prairie.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and

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the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Hansen Arts Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Alfred Dickey (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Seiler Building (about 400 feet away); In Celebration of the Two Hundredth Year Birthday of the United States of America, 1976 (about 400 feet away); Dr. Helena K. Wink (about 500 feet away); Peggy Lee (approx. ¼ mile away); Anton Klaus (approx. 0.4 miles away); Where the Two Rivers Meet (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jamestown.

Regarding Elizabeth White. The White Drug Building is a Contributing property in the Jamestown Historic District, National Register of Historic Places #88000987.

From the National Register Nomination prepared by Lauren McCroskey, North Dakota State Historical Preservation Office staff, 7/11/1989:
White Drug Building
Exterior of variegated brown brick with white terra cotta trim, parapet coping, second story window sills, and corbeled parapet
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2024

2. Elizabeth White Marker
Looking south along 1st Avenue South. The marker is embedded in the sidewalk. The historic White Drug Pharmacy building is in the background.
on the north elevation are all features of this two story brick commercial building. Of particular significance are the stylized cartouches in white and green terracotta, and a “White Building” sign at the center of the west elevation. This is the best example in the District of the transitional commercial style which incorporated brick, tile and terracotta in stylized or geometric forms suggestive of early Art Deco design.

Also see . . .
1. Thrifty White Pharmacy: Our History.

Excerpt: White Drug was founded in 1884 by Mr. and Mrs. H.E. White in Jamestown in what was then the Dakota Territory. Mrs. White was the first female pharmacist in the Territory. White Drug continued to grow over the years and had 38 stores when acquired by the parent company, Thrifty Drug Stores, Inc in 1985.

(Submitted on August 10, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Thrifty White Pharmacy (facebook).

Excerpt: Elizabeth White was the first female registered pharmacist in the Dakota territory in 1884. On our 100th Anniversary in 1984, we celebrated having 18 women pharmacists. Just 35 years later (2019), we now
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2024

3. White Drug Building Marker
(mounted near the Elizabeth White marker)
White Drug
Est. 1884
have over 200 women pharmacists! That equates to 68% of all Thrifty White pharmacists. We think Elizabeth would be quite proud!

(Submitted on August 10, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. White Drug Building (by Steve C. Martens and Ronald H. L. M. Ramsay).

Excerpt: c. 1919, attributed to Henry J. Scherer. The H. E. White Drug Company’s presence in Jamestown began in 1884. This, the second White Building in Jamestown, represented the company’s early commitment to growth and expansion, embodied in a building that makes dramatic use of polychrome glazed terra-cotta that contrasts exuberantly with the dark chocolate-colored brick of the rectangular block. Even though the terra-cotta is almost certainly stock from a manufacturer’s standard line, its extensive use here and on other buildings by Scherer demonstrates a confidence in the use of applied ornament. Here it garnishes the cornice, parapet, and window sills, and is used in medallions interspersed with the brick.

(Submitted on August 10, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

White Drug Building (<i>west elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2024

4. White Drug Building (west elevation)

White Drug Building (<i>northwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2024

5. White Drug Building (northwest elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 242 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 10, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.