192 Water Street - Parr Division
Cockburn’s Drugstore is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture, for its continuous use as a drugstore under the same name for over 100 years and for its association with the building’s original owner, George F. Campbell, who constructed it as a residence.
Cockburn’s Drugstore is a good example of classical vernacular commercial architecture. The recessed entrance allows for more window space and is also equipped with transom window and side- lights. Other than the corner entrance, the building displays the traditional massing and symmetry of the classic style. The building is strategically situated on the two main streets in the town and has been a popular landmark for many years.
Cockburn’s Drugstore is also recognized for its role in the community. In 1875, John Cassills Cockburn moved to St. Andrews. In 1876, joined by his younger brother, Edwin A. Cockburn, he started Cockburn Bros. Drugstore in the Water Street ell to this residence, which was owned by George F. Campbell. The partnership terminated within the first year when John moved to Minnesota.
John had his doctor’s office in the store and Edwin was licensed to dispense drugs, including alcohol. Circa 1900, Edwin relocated the drugstore to the main building and the ell became a rental storefront. Edwin was a druggist in St. Andrews for over 60 years. He died in 1938 and left the store to his son Robert. Edwin was one of the first town councillors when the town incorporated in 1903. Robert “Bobby” Cockburn continued as proprietor of the store until the 1960’s. Aside from supplying prescription drugs and family remedies Cockburn’s carried chemicals, souvenirs, china, leather goods, and novelties, much the same as they do today. Aside from being a commercial establishment, Cockburn’s was a gathering place where local and wealthy summer residents would mix. Among the more prominent regulars was Sir James Dunn, a major Canadian financier and industrialist during the first half of the twentieth century, who would walk to Cockburn’s every morning and go to a backroom of the store and read the morning paper. Although the present owner has no family connection to the Cockburn’s, he chose to keep the name because of its long and historic connection to the Cockburn family.
Cockburn’s Drugstore is also recognized through its association with the original owner and occupant when it was strictly a residential property. George F. Campbell lived in this building from 1847 until his death in the 1890’s. After exploring mercantile pursuits elsewhere as a young man, he returned to St. Andrews. Upon his return, he was appointed postmaster of St. Andrews.
The "ell" adjacent to the property housed St. Andrews’ first drugstore from 1875 to c. 1900 and may have served as a post office for a time prior to that. In the late 1930s and 1940s, it was the war-time location of Grace Helen Mowat’s Cottage Craft store and has subsequently been a gift shop (Hole in the Wall) and a candy store (Kandyland).
The character-defining elements include:
Architectural Style: Georgian
Source: St. Andrews Civic Trust - Charlotte County Archives, St. Andrews NB
Cockburn’s Drugstore is a good example of classical vernacular commercial architecture. The recessed entrance allows for more window space and is also equipped with transom window and side- lights. Other than the corner entrance, the building displays the traditional massing and symmetry of the classic style. The building is strategically situated on the two main streets in the town and has been a popular landmark for many years.
Cockburn’s Drugstore is also recognized for its role in the community. In 1875, John Cassills Cockburn moved to St. Andrews. In 1876, joined by his younger brother, Edwin A. Cockburn, he started Cockburn Bros. Drugstore in the Water Street ell to this residence, which was owned by George F. Campbell. The partnership terminated within the first year when John moved to Minnesota.
John had his doctor’s office in the store and Edwin was licensed to dispense drugs, including alcohol. Circa 1900, Edwin relocated the drugstore to the main building and the ell became a rental storefront. Edwin was a druggist in St. Andrews for over 60 years. He died in 1938 and left the store to his son Robert. Edwin was one of the first town councillors when the town incorporated in 1903. Robert “Bobby” Cockburn continued as proprietor of the store until the 1960’s. Aside from supplying prescription drugs and family remedies Cockburn’s carried chemicals, souvenirs, china, leather goods, and novelties, much the same as they do today. Aside from being a commercial establishment, Cockburn’s was a gathering place where local and wealthy summer residents would mix. Among the more prominent regulars was Sir James Dunn, a major Canadian financier and industrialist during the first half of the twentieth century, who would walk to Cockburn’s every morning and go to a backroom of the store and read the morning paper. Although the present owner has no family connection to the Cockburn’s, he chose to keep the name because of its long and historic connection to the Cockburn family.
Cockburn’s Drugstore is also recognized through its association with the original owner and occupant when it was strictly a residential property. George F. Campbell lived in this building from 1847 until his death in the 1890’s. After exploring mercantile pursuits elsewhere as a young man, he returned to St. Andrews. Upon his return, he was appointed postmaster of St. Andrews.
The "ell" adjacent to the property housed St. Andrews’ first drugstore from 1875 to c. 1900 and may have served as a post office for a time prior to that. In the late 1930s and 1940s, it was the war-time location of Grace Helen Mowat’s Cottage Craft store and has subsequently been a gift shop (Hole in the Wall) and a candy store (Kandyland).
The character-defining elements include:
- rectangular 2-storey massing;
- shingle and clapboard siding;
- 5 symmetrically placed vertical sliding windows in upper storey of front façade;
- recessed corner entrance;
- large storefront windows flanking the entrance;
- windows divided by columns;
- wooden bulkheads;
- sidelights;
- transom window;
- wood panels on underside of the entrance hood;
- brackets and balustrade extending from the entrance hood.
Architectural Style: Georgian
Source: St. Andrews Civic Trust - Charlotte County Archives, St. Andrews NB
