A Soda Fountain From 1873 Still Exists In Oregon And One Look Will Make You Feel Nostalgic
By Catherine Armstrong|Published August 20, 2018
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
There’s always something new and interesting to be found in Oregon, but sometimes it’s the old classics that we love the most. Back in the day, most little hometown drug stores had a soda fountain where you could climb up on a swivel stool at the counter and order a milkshake or malt. Most of those little drug stores have been replaced by big chain stores, and the soda fountains are long gone, but there’s one that’s been around since 1873, and you can still visit.
Hillsboro Pharmacy got its start when Dr. F.A. Bailey came to Hillsboro after the Civil War in 1873. You'll find this historic little pharmacy at 243 E. Main St., Hillsboro, OR 97123.
Back in the early days, Dr. Bailey accepted chickens and eggs as payment for his services; today things have changed a little bit. But while you might have to bring money to pick up your prescription, the pharmacist still knows you by name, and the customer service here is stellar.
You'll find other tasty ice cream treats on the menu, like sundaes, pie, and ice cream cones, too. It's never too early to start the tradition of ice cream at the soda fountain!
In the good old days, the pharmacy soda fountain was the place to hang out on the weekend to see and be seen. Today, it's probably not the cool hot spot for checking out your high school crush, but you might want to sit under the awning to enjoy your shake, people-watch, and read the paper.
You can get a great start to your day with a hearty breakfast at the soda fountain. Menu choices include breakfast sandwiches, omelets, pancakes, french toast, and more.
Lunch from the grill is served between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Enjoy a juicy cheeseburger, patty melt, or BLT, served with a pickle on the side. The chips are a lot more modern, but the food is the same quality that you remember enjoying as a kid.
Hillsboro Pharmacy has been an integral part of the community for more than 140 years! Just look behind the counter of the soda fountain, where you'll find plenty of memorabilia and humor, mixed in with newspaper clippings, and photos of loved ones and customers as they've celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and accomplishments.
If you’d like to learn more about this charming, historic pharmacy, visit its website, and follow its Facebook page for the latest news. Do you have memories of visiting the old-fashioned soda fountain in Hillsboro Pharmacy? Share your stories with our readers in the comments!
