BROOKVILLE — In October 1987, Brookville’s oldest business closed after 109 years of service. Smith’s Drug Store served the community well over the years. It was located at 200 Market Street.

Pharmacists and owners Art Keighley and Joe Smucker had decided to retire. Art Keighley started working for Harry Smith in 1951 after graduating from the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy the year prior. He was a World War II Army Air Force veteran, serving in a medic unit. He also was a long-time member of the Brookville Masonic Lodge 596, and a longtime member of the Brookville National Bank Board of Directors.

Joe Smucker served as a member of the Brookville Board of Education for 20 years, was a longtime member of the Brookville Rotary Club and was a member of the Brookville VFW. He too was a World War II Veteran and was engaged in active combat against the Nazis in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

He graduated from the Ohio Northern School of Pharmacy in 1950.

The drug store hadn’t always been called Smith’s Drug Store and it wasn’t always located at 200 Market Street. However it was an important business and service to residents of the Brookville area.

In 1878 two young doctors named Jacob R. Connor and Willian S. Mundhenk started a small drug store on Wolf Creek Street. Soon after their practices increased so they sold the drug store to W. R. Sanford. Sanford and his brother-in-law H. B. Marshall became partners in the business.

The store was relocated to the corner of Market and Mulberry Streets. In 1916 Marshall’s nephew, Harry Smith came to Brookville and became a partner in the firm known as Sanford and Marshall and Company.

Upon the retirement of Sanford and Marshall, Harry B. Smith became the sole owner in 1928. It then became known as Smith’s Drug Store. In 1949 Smith moved the drug store to the 200 Market Street location.

In 1965 Harry Smith retired and Art Keighley bought the drug store. Two years later, Joe Smucker became a full partner. Over the years there were many changes in the drug store business.

Years ago the drug stores had bulk chemicals, herbs and solvents. Today these are almost non-existent. Pharmacists compounded many medicines for customers and now manufactured drugs are dispensed.

Like similar stores of the time, clerks waited on customers and got what they needed off the shelves and now it’s self-serve with many over-the-counter drugs. Smith’s also had sold business and office supplies and paints.

All information and the photo for this Look at Brookville article were supplied by the Brookville Historical Society. Do you have a photo or historical information to share or add? Please contact the Brookville Historical Society at 937-833-0285 or email to [email protected].