NESBITT DRUG STORE OPERATED HERE DURING THE 1930s

Two weeks ago in this column we featured an early 20th century druggist, Archie Miller. This week we are featuring a local druggist who operated here during the Great Depression of the 1930s and into the World War II era. Nesbitt’s Drug Store was located at 217 S. Superior St; today this is the north half of Fedco. Fred O. Nesbitt (1874-1961) came here with his wife Jessie (1885-1974) in June 1934 and purchased the closed drug store of A. R. Smith, which had also been at the same location. What a time to start a new business, as Fred was already 60 years old. You won’t find the Nesbitt’s in the Albion City directories however, except for the drug store listing. That’s because the couple chose not to purchase a house here, but instead lived at the Parker Inn Hotel on E. Michigan Avenue. I wonder how many other persons lived at the Parker Inn? I know that Rev. George Bennard was another one who did.

The Nesbitt Drug Store offered the usual items a druggist in those days would sell to supplement the prescription sales. He offered "Drugs, Cameras, and Cigars," according to one advertisement, in addition to photo developing.

In February 1944 Fred retired at the age of 70 and sold his establishment to Allan Weatherwax of Jackson, who renamed it Weatherwax Drugs. Weatherwax subsequently expanded the store southwards in the early 1960s.

Following their departure from Albion, the Nesbitts moved to Flint to spend their retirement years. They are interred in the Mausoleum at Greenwood Cemetery in Vernon, located in Shiawassee County.

From our Historical Notebook this week we present a 1938 photograph of Fred Nesbitt, along with a 1939 photo developing envelope with his advertising on it. Are there any of our elderly readers who remember Nesbitt’s Drug Store?

	Frank Passic — Albion Historian An Albion native and 1971 graduate of Albion High School, Frank Passic has been researching and writing Albion history since 1976. He is the creator of the Albion Historical Notebook, with hundreds of articles appearing weekly in the Morning Star and The Recorder. Frank maintains an extensive personal archive including Riverside Cemetery records, family surname files, genealogies, photographs, city directories, and high school yearbooks. Support his 2026 research at the Historic Albion Michigan Facebook page. Historical Notebook \| From the Archives \| Subject List \| 100 Years Ago \| Alphabetical Index \| Frank Passic Home Page \| Albion History Books \| Contact Frank
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