Snouder's Drug Store facts for kids
Snouder's Drug Store was once the oldest business still running in Oyster Bay, New York. It first opened its doors in 1884. This store was special because it had the very first telephone in Oyster Bay! For many years, it was the only phone in town. When Theodore Roosevelt became Governor and later President, reporters gathered at Snouder's. They used its phone to send news from Oyster Bay to the world.
The phone service and a fun soda fountain, added in 1889, made Snouder's a very popular spot. It was a favorite place for people to meet up. The building is now a Town of Oyster Bay Landmark. It was also featured on the Oyster Bay History Walk audio tour.
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A Look Back at Snouder's Drug Store
It's not clear exactly when the first building on this spot was built. But there is proof it dates back to the late 1600s! Snouder's Drug Store, which opened here in 1884, was the oldest business in Oyster Bay that kept running without stopping. Abel Miller Conklin started the drug store. His family members were the founders of Miller Place in Suffolk County.
The First Owner and a New Location
Abel Conklin used to be a druggist in New York City. But in 1880, his doctor told him to move to the countryside. The doctor thought the fresh air in Oyster Bay would help his health. His first drug store in Oyster Bay was somewhere on South Street. We don't know the exact spot.
In 1884, he moved the drug store to its final home. He ran his business with help from his son-in-law, Andrew Snouder. Andrew had left his clothing and shoe business to help Abel, who was not well. Even with the move, Abel Conklin's health did not get better. He soon passed away. Andrew Snouder then took over the business. At first, he kept the name Conklin's Drug Store.
The First Telephone in Town
In 1887, Andrew Snouder installed a telephone. This was the very first telephone in all of Oyster Bay! For several years, it was the only one in town. Even Theodore Roosevelt's home, Sagamore Hill, did not have a phone until he became president. For years, Mr. Snouder helped relay messages for the future president.
The telephone service became a big reason why people gathered at Snouder's. In May 1900, Andrew Snouder set aside a part of the store just for telephone service. This allowed the switchboard, run by Miss Ellen Ludlam, to stay open late. It stayed open even after the drug store closed for the night. That same year, Andrew graduated from the New York College of Pharmacy. He officially changed the business name to Snouder's Drug Store.
A Community Hub for All Ages
The telephone also brought many reporters to Snouder's Drug Store. They used the phone booths to cover news about Theodore Roosevelt. This happened when he was both Governor and President. Teenagers and children also met up here. They came for the phone service and for tasty treats. Mr. Snouder had a soda fountain installed in 1889. This soda fountain became a central part of social life for many generations of kids. It was popular all the way into the 1970s!
In the 1990s, the outside of the building was painted back to its original color. Experts figured out the color by studying tiny paint chips. After many decades, Snouder's closed its doors in December 2010. The building was then listed for sale.
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