Snouder's Drug Store
Encyclopedia
snouders.org
Snouder's Drug Store is the oldest operating business in Oyster Bay, New York
. The store was first established in 1884. The first telephone in Oyster Bay was installed here, and for several years it remained the only one in town. When Theodore Roosevelt became Governor of New York State and later President, the press corps gathered at Snouder's to transmit news from Oyster Bay. Phone service and the soda fountain installed in 1889 made Snouder's one of the most popular gathering places in town. In the 1990s the exterior was returned to its original color, which was determined through paint chip analysis. Today the building is a Town of Oyster Bay Landmark and a featured site on the Oyster Bay History Walk
audio walking tour.
Conklin had been a druggist in York City, but moved to the countryside of Oyster Bay in 1880 on the advice of his doctor, who felt the fresh air would improve his health. His first drugstore here was elsewhere on South Street though the exact location is not known. In 1884 he relocated here, and carried on his business with the help of his son-in-law, Andrew Snouder.
Andrew had left the clothing and shoe business to aid his ailing father-in-law. Unfortunately Abel Conklin’s health did not recover. Soon after the move he died, leaving Andrew Snouder to carry on, keeping the name Conklin’s Drug Store. In 1887 he installed the very first telephone in Oyster Bay, which for several years remained the only one in town. Until Roosevelt became president even Sagamore Hill did not have a telephone and for several years young Arthur Snouder carried messages up to T.R.
The phone service became a key reason people gathered at Snouder's. In May 1900 Andrew Snouder actually partitioned a part of the store for the exclusive use of telephone service. This enabled the switchboard operated by Miss Ellen Ludlam to remain open late at night until the drugstore had closed. That year Andrew graduated second in his class from the New York College of Pharmacy and officially changed the name to Snouder's Drug Store.
The telephone also brought many members of the press to the booths of Snouder's Drug Store, covering news of Theodore Roosevelt, both as Governor and President. Young people congregated here as well, both for the telephone service and the delicious refreshments after Snouder had a soda fountain installed in 1889. This soda fountain became a center of social life for several generations of young people, all the way into the 1970s. In the 1990s the exterior was returned to its original color, which was determined through paint chip analysis. This striking corner building has seen many years come and go in our village, and still serves the community as a pharmacy known for its personal service.
Sadly, Snouder's shut its doors in December 2010.
Snouder's Drug Store is the oldest operating business in Oyster Bay, New York
Oyster Bay (town), New York
The Town of Oyster Bay is easternmost of the three towns in Nassau County, New York, in the United States. Part of the New York metropolitan area, it is the only town in Nassau County that extends from the North Shore to the South Shore of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the town population was...
. The store was first established in 1884. The first telephone in Oyster Bay was installed here, and for several years it remained the only one in town. When Theodore Roosevelt became Governor of New York State and later President, the press corps gathered at Snouder's to transmit news from Oyster Bay. Phone service and the soda fountain installed in 1889 made Snouder's one of the most popular gathering places in town. In the 1990s the exterior was returned to its original color, which was determined through paint chip analysis. Today the building is a Town of Oyster Bay Landmark and a featured site on the Oyster Bay History Walk
Oyster Bay History Walk
The Oyster Bay History Walk is a path through downtown Oyster Bay, New York that leads the walker to 30 historic sites. It is a 1 mile loop and is the first certified American Heart Association Start! Walking Path on Long Island.-Origins and Development:...
audio walking tour.
History
No one is sure how early the first building was erected on this site but some evidence exists that it may date back to the late 17th century. Snouder's Drug Store, located here since 1884, is the oldest continuously operated business in Oyster Bay, and was more than just a drug store. For decades this building served as place to congregate with friends, to “hang out.” The drug store was established by Abel Miller Conklin whose descendants were the founders of Miller Place in Suffolk County.Conklin had been a druggist in York City, but moved to the countryside of Oyster Bay in 1880 on the advice of his doctor, who felt the fresh air would improve his health. His first drugstore here was elsewhere on South Street though the exact location is not known. In 1884 he relocated here, and carried on his business with the help of his son-in-law, Andrew Snouder.
Andrew had left the clothing and shoe business to aid his ailing father-in-law. Unfortunately Abel Conklin’s health did not recover. Soon after the move he died, leaving Andrew Snouder to carry on, keeping the name Conklin’s Drug Store. In 1887 he installed the very first telephone in Oyster Bay, which for several years remained the only one in town. Until Roosevelt became president even Sagamore Hill did not have a telephone and for several years young Arthur Snouder carried messages up to T.R.
The phone service became a key reason people gathered at Snouder's. In May 1900 Andrew Snouder actually partitioned a part of the store for the exclusive use of telephone service. This enabled the switchboard operated by Miss Ellen Ludlam to remain open late at night until the drugstore had closed. That year Andrew graduated second in his class from the New York College of Pharmacy and officially changed the name to Snouder's Drug Store.
The telephone also brought many members of the press to the booths of Snouder's Drug Store, covering news of Theodore Roosevelt, both as Governor and President. Young people congregated here as well, both for the telephone service and the delicious refreshments after Snouder had a soda fountain installed in 1889. This soda fountain became a center of social life for several generations of young people, all the way into the 1970s. In the 1990s the exterior was returned to its original color, which was determined through paint chip analysis. This striking corner building has seen many years come and go in our village, and still serves the community as a pharmacy known for its personal service.
Sadly, Snouder's shut its doors in December 2010.
See also
- Oyster Bay History WalkOyster Bay History WalkThe Oyster Bay History Walk is a path through downtown Oyster Bay, New York that leads the walker to 30 historic sites. It is a 1 mile loop and is the first certified American Heart Association Start! Walking Path on Long Island.-Origins and Development:...
- Theodore Roosevelt in Oyster BayTheodore Roosevelt in Oyster BayTheodore Roosevelt spent his first summer in Oyster Bay with his family in 1874. Through the ensuing years as he rose to power, Oyster Bay would frequently serve as backdrop and stage on which many of his ambitions were realized. Several places connected to Theodore Roosevelt in his lifetime...
- List of Town of Oyster Bay Landmarks
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Nassau County, New York