Dorward Drug

Dorward Drug. Est. 1901. David Dorward arrived in Borden County in 1892. He was born December 15, 1872, in Burleson County, TX, to David and Anna Atkinson Dorward. In 1893 David began working as a wagon cook for the Square and Compass Ranch; a year later he began work for the Magnolia Land and Cattle Company. In 1901 David became a businessman when he opened the Dorward Drug on the courthouse square., A week after opening his business - May 26, 1901 - he married Minnie Russell, a schoolteacher. To this union three sons were born: Russell, Maurice, and Kelvin. David began home study for his pharmacist license. He received a district license first and then was issued license #855 by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy on September 17, 1907., Mr. Dorward supplied prescriptions for physicians Dr. James N. Prince and Dr. John H. Hannabass. As the town began to decline in population, Dorward Drug became the focal point of the community by providing over-the-counter medicines, refreshments, ice, and most importantly, a gathering place to hear the local and area news. When the telephone switchboard closed in 1918, the drugstore had the only telephone serving Gail and surrounding farms and ranches until the 1950s. Telephone messages received by Mr. Dorward at the store would then be delivered to local residents or to outlying farmers and ranchers. David also served as a public servant by holding the offices of County Treasurer and County Judge., David and Minnie became strong proponents of the Christian faith, David taught adult Sunday school classes for thirty years, and Minnie taught classes over fifty years. Their involvement in the Borden County community left an enduring legacy., This building would have been lost if not for R. D. "Buster" and Jean Creighton Taylor who acquired the property in 2012. They dedicated their efforts to restoring the property, saving the drugstore's original walls, shelving, soda machine, and the safe. The pharmacy counter and samples of medicines and many other Dorward treasures may be viewed at the Borden County Museum.