Old Drug Store
The Authentic Old Drugstore takes you back to the early days when St. Augustine was but a Spanish hamlet.The Authentic Old Drugstore takes you back to the early days when St. Augustine was but a Spanish hamlet. It was built by Antonio Gomaas in 1739.He built it as a place of revelry, within the the jurisdiction of the city, for protection,but away from the actual settlement. They sold liquor, tobacco, medicine and Indian remedies.They also sold their own medical concoctions.
T.W. Speissegger, a pharmacist, bought the building from Gomaas decendant.In 1880 he moved the building to 46 1/2 Bay Street andthen the moved it to 31 Orange Street during the fire of April 1887.
The firm was registered August 1, 1875 in the Centennial Autographic Register and the National Directory. This Book was deposited in the archives of The Smithsonian in Washinton, D.C.
The building went through many owner changes and many renovations. It was purchased in the late 1980’s by and is still owned by the Harris Foundation.
They made many repairs and opened this facinating Museum free of charge to the public.The Authentic Old Drugstore is maintained and supported by the sales in the gift shop.The gift shop is contained in the area that was once a courtyard and hasmade no impact on the original historic building.
For a contrast to today’s high-tech pharmacies, stop in at the Oldest Drug Store located in Historic downtown. You won’t see any computers – instead, antique cash registers, wood floors and bottles of remedies, elixirs and tonics are a charming representation of an era gone by.
Be sure to visit the gift shop where you can pick up collectibles, jewelry and seasonal items.