The roots of pharmacy in Cardston trace back to the late 19th century.
According to records from the Alberta Pharmaceutical Association, the town’s need for pharmaceutical services was already being voiced by 1889:
From Picturesque Cardston and Environment – A story of Colonization and Progress in Southern Alberta (Cardston, N,W,T., N,W. Macleod, 1900), a book in the possession of J. Forest Wood, the following was written:
“Two new drugstores are in course of erection.” This was in 1899, just 13 years after the first settlers had arrived.
In 1974, the Cardston Pharmacy purchased the Payne Meat Market building adjacent to the Pharmacy. That building was torn down and a new addition was added to the existing store. In 1977, Mr. J. E Humphreys leased space in the new Cardston mall and the small store, Cardston Health and Beauty Aids, a subsidiary of Cardston Pharmacy, was begun.
In 1981, his son Robert Alan Humphreys graduated from the school of Pharmacy at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho and began working with his father at the Pharmacy. Robert A. Humphreys purchased the store from his father in February 1986, and changed the name to Cardston Pharmacy (1986) Ltd.
In 1981 the Pharmacy joined the Banner name Value Drug Mart just before the transfer of ownership from Jack Humphreys to his son Rob Humphreys. The pharmacy has since stayed with this banner up until the present day. Jack’s daughter Lori had worked in the pharmacy since she was a teen. She and her husband Don Williams who worked as a front store manager have been there for the last 35 years. They purchased the pharmacy from Lori’s brother Rob in 2011 and owned the company up until recently February 2023 when they sold it to another generation of family, their son and daughter inlaw, Tim and Sara Williams. The store has gone through many changes over the last century. Significant renovations were done in 2004 with an updated dispensary and then again after Don and Lori bought in 2011 where they expanded into the adjacent north building and doubled the store in size. The current pharmacy now takes up 3 of the original store front when the block was built in the early 1900’s. You can still see the division between the old living quarters upstairs in the building.
The roots of pharmacy in Cardston trace back to the late 19th century. According to records from the Alberta Pharmaceutical Association, the town’s need for pharmaceutical services was already being voiced by 1889:
From Picturesque Cardston and Environment – A story of Colonization and Progress in Southern Alberta (Cardston, N,W,T., N,W. Macleod, 1900), a book in the possession of J. Forest Wood, the following was written:
“Two new drugstores are in course of erection.” This was in 1899, just 13 years after the first settlers had arrived.
History is sketchy and sparse for the next few years. Reference is made to J.J Johnstone Drug moving from its original location at 325 Main Street to a new location at 141 (or 151) Main Street. Later Johnstone sold out to a Mr. Sidney Eversfield. This store was later taken over by Dr. Stacpoole and was called Stacpoole Drug Store. Dr. Stacpoole was in Cardston for 36 years. Sometime after 1918, he moved his store from 151 Main Street to what is now the south part of Burts Dry Goods. Although he was a medical doctor, he preferred to work as a Pharmacist. He died in Cardston in 1942, and the store was closed.
In the fall of 1910, Dr. R.W Lynn moved to Cardston and later formed a partnership with Pharmacist Clarence W. Pickup. They purchased a small shop with a 12 foot front on Main Street, From Eliza J. Hurd, where they opened a drugstore. Around 1911, Mr. Mark A. Coombs, who owned Coombs Harness Store, built a building for pickup on the north side of his building which became Cardston Pharmacy.
Another item appearing in the Alberta Pharmaceutical Association archives is reference to a letter written by Ira Fletcher of Magrath, Stating that he had purchased Cardston Pharmacy and sent Douglas B. Fowler to manage it. Me, (later Dr.) D. B. Fowler stayed in Cardston for 2 years from 1920 to 1922, then went back to medical school. After receiving his M.D he returned to Lethbridge where he formed the Bigelow Fowler Clinic.
In 1974, the Cardston Pharmacy purchased the Payne Meat Market building adjacent to the Pharmacy. That building was torn down and a new addition was added to the existing store. In 1977, Mr. J. E Humphreys leased space in the new Cardston mall and the small store, Cardston Health and Beauty Aids, a subsidiary of Cardston Pharmacy, was begun.
In 1981, his son Robert Alan Humphreys graduated from the school of Pharmacy at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho and began working with his father at the Pharmacy. Robert A. Humphreys purchased the store from his father in February 1986, and changed the name to Cardston Pharmacy (1986) Ltd.
In 1981 the Pharmacy joined the Banner name Value Drug Mart just before the transfer of ownership from Jack Humphreys to his son Rob Humphreys. The pharmacy has since stayed with this banner up until the present day. Jack’s daughter Lori had worked in the pharmacy since she was a teen. She and her husband Don Williams who worked as a front store manager have been there for the last 35 years. They purchased the pharmacy from Lori’s brother Rob in 2011 and owned the company up until recently February 2023 when they sold it to another generation of family, their son and daughter inlaw, Tim and Sara Williams. The store has gone through many changes over the last century. Significant renovations were done in 2004 with an updated dispensary and then again after Don and Lori bought in 2011 where they expanded into the adjacent north building and doubled the store in size. The current pharmacy now takes up 3 of the original store front when the block was built in the early 1900’s. You can still see the division between the old living quarters upstairs in the building.
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