Burkesville in Cumberland County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Smith Pharmacy
Oldest Pharmacy in the State of Kentucky
Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 13, 2016
1. Smith Pharmacy Marker
Inscription.
It all began in 1814 when three brothers, John, Philip, and Reuben Alexander opened a store called the "J.P.R. Store." Throughout the 19th century this store, not only sold drugs for man and animal, but sold everything from planks to cuff buttons. Rather than existing as a separate pharmacy or apothecary, it served as a general store, while devoting a portion of its inventory to medicinals. The Alexander family continued to own and operate the store throughout the 19th century. In 1906, W.F. Alexander sold the controlling interest of the store to Samuel Smith and his son John Peyton Smith. The general store which had once sold drugs as a sideline had now evolved into a drugstore which sold sundries as a sideline. After attending pharmacy school for one year, John Peyton became a registered pharmacist bringing the store to full maturity as a pharmacy. Randolph N. Smith followed his father's footsteps and, after graduation form Louisville College of Pharmacy, became actively involved in the pharmacy in 1939. Today Smith Pharmacy is operated by Smith's daughter, Laura Lee, and Doug Butler, her husband, who is a registered
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pharmacist. While you wait for your prescription to be filled you can enjoy your favorite ice cream from their soda fountain. If you choose not to pick up your prescription, they will gladly deliver it to your home.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.
Location. 36° 47.417′ N, 85° 22.25′ W. Marker is in Burkesville, Kentucky, in Cumberland County. It is at the intersection of Hill Street and North Main Street (Kentucky Route 61), on the right when traveling east on Hill Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Burkesville KY 42717, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Pennyroyal Region. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. 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 Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this
Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,329 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
