Looking Back in Time: Chinook Pharmacy is Back Where it all Started

For many years Robbie Luckie entertained our readers with a weekly column that took excerpts from old papers dating 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago that provide a nostalgic memory of the 'Good ol' Days'. I've been asked a number of times why the Blaine County Journal didn't still do something similar as they really enjoyed the look back.

I have always been interested in History, and local history is something I'd like to learn a bit more about. In wanting to fulfill this request I took the approach of taking a position that focused on a specific aspect of our community. I thought of many potential ideas from grocery stores, hardware stores, sale yards, car dealerships, clothing stores and even restaurants.

The idea of following the evolution of these businesses, many of which are staples of any small community in Montana, intrigued me. The first such business I wanted to look at was the Pharmacy.

Today, prescription medication, vaccinations and the ability to obtain lifesaving medicine is vital to any community. The fight for affordable, safe prescriptions is at the forefront of many political conversations. The industry is highly regulated, protected by HIPAA laws and potentially can be very expensive depending on an individuals medical coverage.

But that's not the way it has always been. It wasn't until 1852 that a couple of colleges, Philadelphia and Rutgers got together and suggested that some education should be required to dole out medication. By the early 1900's the Pharmaceutical community had become much more organized and schools started to pop up around the country to properly train Pharmacists.

Montana's first Pharmacy can be attributed to Father Anthony J Ravalli. Father Ravalli was beloved by all, including the American Indians of the Bitterroot. He served as priest, doctor, druggist, sculptor, architect, machinist, and friend for 40 years. During this time he grew an Italian garden on the mission grounds and raised herbs to be used in his various medicines getting water from three little creeks flowing through the garden. Father Ravalli soon established Montana's first "drive-through" pharmacy when he built a window into one end of his home (Present day Stevensville) for customers to purchase his ointments that were to be administered through a quill. Father Ravalli passed away at the age of 72 in 1884, his home still stands and the window can be seen on the grounds today.

Montana has one School of Pharmacy and nearly everyone knows that the school is located on the campus of the University of Montana in Missoula. However the schools origin is actually a bit south in Bozeman. Established in 1907, The School of Pharmacy was built at the Montana State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. Charles E.G. Mollett began as the schools first and only instructor. Mollett was previously a pharmacist from Gallatin Drug.

The School of Pharmacy graduated its first student, Paul Mitchell just two years later in 1909. It wasn't until 1913 that the school relocated to its current location in Missoula. Mollett is later named dean of the school in 1916. In 1933 the school dropped all of its two and three year programs and began the four year Bachelor of Science degree program kick starting the development of the school into what it is today.

For many years folks were being pestered by door to door salesmen trying to sell whatever medical concoction they could to cure disease, trim fat or increase brain function. It wasn't until 1938 that an act of Congress began to regulate the industry.

By the 1940s and 50s Pharmacists were beginning to get creative in ways of attracting customers into their stores. In many ways the thrift stores we know nowadays got their start back then.

Drug stores or, Apothecary's, as many were called, became the go-to spots for candy treats and little nick knacks and things you didn't know you needed. Coin operated rides such as 'Bucking Horses' or airplanes were often found either in the store or outside its storefront.

These Drug Stores became commonly refereed to as Soda Shops selling various flavors of the carbonated beverage as well as good old fashioned ice cream. In fact the very first Coca Cola fountain dispenser first appeared in one of these shops.

Those times were long ago and things have drastically changed in the years since, "I wish I could go back to that time," said Kelcey Diemert, owner/pharmacist at Chinook Pharmacy. "It was a different time, you could visit with different people about their needs and have general conversations. It was a gathering spot for folks to socialize."

Kelcey and his wife, Nancy, bought the Chinook Pharmacy in 1994. After a couple of moves around town they finally settled into the current location. Oddly enough the same location of the original pharmacy more than 100 years ago.

Campbell Drug Company was the original pharmacy in town beginning in the early 1900's, although the specific year is unknown. It advertised itself as 'Headquarters for Johnson's and Societe Candies, Greeting Cards for all occasions, stationary, drugs and parker pens.'

Campbell Drug Company eventually became Ivey's Drug Store on April 26, 1962. Ivey's Drug Store officially confirmed the name change to Herda's Drug Store. All three of these businesses operated in the same location as the current Chinook Pharmacy.

At some point the local Drug Store became Marten's Drug Store and was located where the current First Bank of Montana is located. Eventually the pharmacy moved to the Sweet Memorial Clinic and was operated by the Stebar's. In 1994 Kelcey and Nancy revived the pharmacy location in the Sweet Clinic.

After six years of operating in the Sweet Clinic the Diemerts, along with Ron and Jeanne Dalton, purchased the old IGA Building and relocated. Opening in 2000, one side of the building would be the local Ace Hardware Store and the other would house the Chinook Pharmacy.

In 2008 Kelcey and Nancy started Milk River Pharmacy in Harlem bringing back the service to the community for the first time since the closure of Don's Pharmacy. For more than 40 years Frank Orlando provided the service in Harlem and was revered by the community. In 2018 the Diemerts sold the Milk River Pharmacy to Hilary Richman, Pharmacist, and husband Tim.

In 2013 the opportunity to purchase the building on main street came to be and as fate would have it Chinook Pharmacy opened once again in the same location as the original pharmacy in town more than 100 years ago.

Kelcey and Nancy try to pay homage to the days of old in their current location. Memorabilia of days gone by can be found on the walls of the store. Old fashioned candy is available and if you want to take a spin on that coin operated bucking horse you can.

While the days of visiting openly about what ails you are gone with all the restrictions and safety protocols put in place of the highly regulated industry. Folks can still sit at the table, visit and read the local paper if they so desire.