Downtown in Springfield in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Corneau & Diller Drug Store

Looking for Lincoln

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, June 16, 2011

1. Corneau & Diller Drug Store Marker

Inscription.
Apothecaries in the mid-19th century carried a surprising variety of drugs and remedies—potassium iodide for rheumatism and syphilis, sulphate of quinine for tooth powder, opium elixir for toothache, and camphor for an aphrodisiac. "Cure-all" patent medicines were popular. Dr. Hoofland's Balsamic Cordial was touted for dysentery and colic. Wright's Indian Vegetable Pills cured "headaches, hysterics, weak nerves, low spirits, female complaints, and stomach and lung disorders." Sarsaparilla was prescribed for "ringworms, lumbago, pains of the bones and joints, neuralgia, nervous debility and pale complexion." "Brown Mixture," named for its color, was Corneau & Diller's own remedy for colds and coughs. Because Springfield's first soda fountain was installed here, Robert Lincoln later recalled that he and his friends considered Corneau & Diller "a good place to go."

In 1849 partners Roland W. Diller and Charles S. Corneau opened their store on the east side of the public square. With its big stove and circle of chairs amid cluttered shelves of drugs, pills, patient medicines and other articles, it became a favorite place for men—including Abraham Lincoln—to congregate and discuss politics, social happenings, and swap stories.

Ledger records of Lincoln's store account

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show that Mary Lincoln purchased toiletries such as bear's oil, ox marrow, "French Chalk" for her complexion, a patent hairdressing called "Zylobalsam," and "Mrs. Allen's Restorative." She made cosmetic paste out of Castile soap and Indian meal. Because daily bathing was not yet customary, the Lincolns—like most other people—brought cologne by the quart! For the children, Mary purchased "Pennyroyal" to prevent flea and mosquito bites, Hive Syrup for coughs and croup, Wistar's Balsam of Wild Cherry for asthma and bronchitis, and sweet oil for chest rubs. It seems the Lincoln children often suffered respiratory ailments. Three of them eventually died prematurely from fevers or lung disease.

Photo of Roland W. Diller

Erected 2007 by State of Illinois Historic Preservation Agency & Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Looking for Lincoln series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 39° 48.05′ N, 89° 38.866′ W. Marker is

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in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of South 6th Street and East Adams Street on South 6th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 607 E Adams St, Springfield IL 62701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in 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

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cook's Hall (a few steps from this marker); Barack Obama Campaign Announcements (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lincoln Boys in 1854 (within shouting distance of this marker); Streetscape 1859 (within shouting distance of this marker); Elijah Iles' American House Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); In Their Springfield Prime (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln's Springfield (within shouting distance of this marker); The American House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Old State Capitol (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,246 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on October 6, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. Photo 1. submitted on October 20, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.