James Pharmacy, National Register historical pharmacy in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.
James Pharmacy is a Federal-style building from around 1820 featuring wooden clapboard siding, segmented-arch windows, and a distinctive L-shaped plan with a gabled roof. Located at the corner of Pennywise Lane and Main Street in Old Saybrook, the structure now houses a gallery and soda fountain.
Built around 1820 in the Federal style, the structure gained historical significance when Anna Louise James became the first African American female pharmacist in Connecticut to operate her own business here in 1917. This milestone transformed the pharmacy into a landmark of progress and representation in the region's medical profession.
The location served as a gathering place for people from all walks of life who came for medicines and refreshments. It reflects how pharmacies functioned as social centers in small American towns.
The building sits at a main intersection in Old Saybrook's center and is easily accessible on foot. Be aware that the interior has some narrow passages and steep historic stairs if you want to explore different levels of the structure.
The interior still preserves many original features from its pharmacy days, including dark wood shelving, traditional apothecary drawers, and a collection of vintage medicine bottles. These authentic elements offer visitors a genuine look at how a pharmacy operated in the early 1900s.
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