Workers at Cronin’s Drug Store in the city of Negaunee in the 1950s are pictured. (Photo courtesy of the Negaunee Histortical Society)

NEGAUNEE — In an issue of the Negaunee Iron Herald, dated 1958, Harry Cronin, a Negaunee pharmacist, recalled the changes that had taken place in the drug store business since he purchased it in November of 1933, at a cost of $1,800.00.

Harry Cronin had gained experience as a pharmacist in Kalamazoo Michigan, Elyria, Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio.

He noted the changes that had occurred throughout the years. When he opened his business penicillin had not yet been discovered.

There were no antibiotics and by 1958 there was widespread usage in combating a variety of infections and reducing the effects of the common cold.

Rapid strides were brought about in these fields of medicine as a result of World War ll. Laboratories worked feverishly to cooperate with the government in furnishing these new drugs that would combat diseases and infections that were encountered by the armed forces.

Penicillin was the first and from that jumping off point it wasn’t long before a wide variety of others were in use. In the intervening years there was the development of many so -called “miracle drugs” in tablet form so that they could be taken orally as well as hypodermically.

One of the newest at that time was used by diabetics. In the early 1900s, very few people were in the habit of taking a “winter tonic” and vitamins were unknown.

In 1958, to maintain good health and to supplement the lack of sunshine and diet deficiencies there were vitamins for children, multi-purpose vitamins for all members of the family.

Other changes that occurred in the drug store business was the handling of greeting cards, cosmetics, toiletries, and photography items.

Vanishing from the American scene of drug stores was the soda fountain, which was a popular feature of the drug store with the older generation.

In most cases it was necessary to eliminate the fountain to make more room to properly display other lines of merchandise.

The Cronins had three children, two of whom followed in their father’s footsteps. Patricia and Jim received degrees from Ferris. In 1958, Kathleen was still a student at St. Paul’s High School.

Roy Pruiska, a Negaunee native, purchased the business in 1968 and moved the business to U.S. 41 in a complex with Mike’s Party Store and hardware. Another pharmacy in town was purchased by Joe Mautino in 1956.

It was one of Negaunee’s oldest pharmacies. The business belonged to the Arneth’s. Arneth’s purchased the business from J.M Perkins in a package deal, the pharmacy on Iron Street and the house on Case Street.

Joe Mautino also purchased the business and home as a package deal. Although both pharmacies are gone from the downtown area, the house that has been home to pharmacists still stands.

It has seen changes from its early days. The pillars which stand stately at the front entrance were a request from Mrs. Mautino, she was a “southern girl.”

The daughter of Joe Mautino currently resides in the home of pharmacists.