Inscription
(Front) Guerin’s Pharmacy, founded in 1871 by Henry C. Guerin, is the oldest operating pharmacy in S.C. Guerin was a Charleston physician who served as Chief Commissary for S.C. during the Civil War. Afterwards he moved to Summerville and bought Schweatman Drug Store, which was operating from the home of Mrs. R.W. Myers.
Guerin moved the business to a frame building at its current site. Henry’s son Joseph Guerin received his pharmacy degree in 1892 and took over the business. (Reverse) About 1895 the one-story building was replaced by a two-story wooden structure that was brick veneered with a one-story addition in 1925.
Herbert Dunning was hired as pharmacist in 1910 and eventually owned the drug store. After Herbert’s death in 1975 his nephew Charles Dunning bought the drug store. Upon Charles’ death in 2014 his daughter Barbara became pharmacist in charge. Guerin’s Pharmacy is the oldest continuously operating business in Summerville.
Sponsored by the Summerville Preservation Society, 2016
Location
Sources
More markers in Dorchester
Old Dorchester
Summerville, SC
Laid out in 1697 as a market town for the Congregationalist colony from Dorchester, Mass.
Fort Dorchester
Summerville, SC
A brick powder magazine enclosed by a tabby wall eight feet high was built here in 1757.
Middleton Place/Arthur Middleton
MIDDLETON PLACE (Front) These famous gardens were laid out about 1741 by Henry Middleton (1717-84), President of Continental Congress.
Old White Meeting House and Cemetery
Summerville, SC
(Front) This church was established in 1696 by settlers from Dorchester, Mass.
Newington Plantation
Summerville, SC
(Front) Newington Plantation was established on this site in the 1680s after Daniel Axtell received a royal grant of 300 acres.
