Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Brunswig Drug Co.

1900

— Gaslamp Quarter —

Brunswig Drug Co. Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

1. Brunswig Drug Co. Marker

Inscription. This brick building with its cast iron columns was constructed for F.W. Brown in 1900. In 1908 the Brunswig Drug Company moved in and operated here until 1960. The date on the top center of the building refers to the founding date of the company. In 1925, a fire destroyed the second floor, and during reconstruction, the third floor was added. (Marker Number 69.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the San Diego - Gaslamp Quarter series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 32° 42.55′ N, 117° 9.601′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in the Gaslamp Quarter. It is at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and J Street, on the right when traveling north on Fifth Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 366 Fifth Avenue, San Diego CA 92101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

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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: Pioneer Warehouse, 1918 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Buel-Town Building 1898 (about 400 feet away); Produce Market, 1918 (about 500 feet away); First Emperor (about 500 feet away); Callan Hotel 1878 (about 500 feet away); William Heath Davis House, 1850 (about 600 feet away); Yamada Building, 1869 (about 600 feet away); Quin Building, 1930 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

More about this marker. The marker is located directly below the 'Brunswig Drug Co. Est.-1888' sign in the center part of the building facing Fifth St.

Also see . . . Pick Your Poison!.

Most of us can’t walk more than two or three blocks without stumbling across one of the many chain drugstores that populate our cities. Indeed, in the Gaslamp alone there are three CVS such establishments.
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

2. Brunswig Drug Co. Building and Marker
The marker is at the center of the building, below the 'Brunswig Drug Co. Est.-1888' sign.
However, these 21st century convenience stores aren’t the first chain drug emporiums to grace our city. Most don’t realize that the Brunswig Drug Company, which opened for business in 1908, was actually part of a chain that originated in Los Angeles.

(Submitted on July 18, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 17, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.