The past has met the present and the future in Panguitch through an architecturally innovative and historically accurate pharmacy, the brainchild of a third-generation pharmacist whose grandfather opened the community's first drugstore 91 years ago.
The Panguitch Drug Co. is housed in a new building surrounded by like structures reminiscent of the 1890-1920 period. It was a project that involved several architects, saw the dreams of Steve Marshall come true and one that undoubtedly would be the envy of his long-deceased grandfather. In between the two generations was Monte Marshall, who came back to his native town to carry on the business after third-generation Steve Marshall hated the idea of a strip mall but wanted to expand Panguitch Drug into a new facility while maintaining the atmosphere and architecture of the turn of the century.Located on Center Street, the extended building also houses an expanded housewares section, school and office supplies, a book section, arts, crafts and a music section, a Hogi Yogi sandwich and yogurt shop and a cowboy store that features such western wear as hats, boots and saddles. There is also a crafts section where local artists can display and sell their wares.
It's a far cry from the humble beginning of Panguitch Drug, although it contains a historical pharmaceutical exhibit dating back to the 1890s. The drugstore that has served the people of Garfield County for more than nine decades displays medicines and such pharmacy equipment as mortars and pestles, a manual tablet press and dies, apothecaries, a suppository mold and a water pipe.
Particularly fashionable in a modern world but reminiscent of the long-ago are stools and an old-time soda fountain, a tobacco wad cutter and an ice cream sandwich press.
Steve Marshall studied architecture and historical structures for three years before beginning the venture, consulting specialists familiar with historic renovations. He didn't attempt to duplicate a specific building, but the facility depicts, in various ways, replicas of historic Panguitch structures such as the town's original tabernacle, an early LDS church and the old original social hall.
Encompassing esthetic elements of the period, the structure is built with dentils and corbeling - projecting blocks and architectural members protruding from within the walls that support the weight. The roof has two slopes, with the lower one steeper than the upper roof. Brass fittings were used in the building, and the windows were designed to depict old structures.
Among the architects were builder and pioneer furniture maker Dale Peel of Mt. Pleasant, historic landscape architect Allen Roberts of Salt Lake City and Frank Fisher of St. George. They say they've done more historic research and building than any other such group in the Western United States.
Months were spent in finding a brick to duplicate the historic Panguitch era, and many modifications were made by the architects prior to the final blueprints.
Landscaping includes period light poles and native southern Utah plants, while interior cabinets are maple and mahogany. A 12-foot cabinet that had been stored behind the old soda fountain was tediously restored.
Marshall's grandfather, W. Earl Marshall, attended early schools in Idaho, studied at the University of Southern California and earned a degree as a pharmaceutical chemist, equivalent of a doctor's degree. Stopping in Panguitch to visit a relative led to his drugstore entrepreneurship. Along the way he sold gasoline, washers, radios, phonographs and established an ice cream parlor.
His son, Monte, graduated from the University of Idaho. After serving in the Navy for two years during World War II, he returned to Panguitch where he was associated with his father before buying the business. Retirement came in 1989.
Steve Marshall has brought new ideas to the business while combining it with old-style architecture, a formula he hopes will reap continued success for the Panguitch Drug Co.