Yates Hospital and Drug Store

The Yates Drug Store (first floor) was constructed in 1906 on Main Street in Philadelphia.  It is currently part of the downtown historic district, and is now operated as a deli/restaurant by owner George Yates, a descendent of Dr. Claude Yates.

 Dr. Yates added the second floor to the drug store in 1927 and operated the Yates Hospital until the 1950s.  The 1933 Neshoba Democrat reported that the building had been repainted and was now "modern."

 A cartouche tops each corner of the parapet, and iron grills cover the lower part of the windows.  The building is stucco over brick.

 This doorway leads to the stairs to the old hospital, and still bears the original cast iron fluted pilasters.

 I was taking a picture of the entrance doors when suddenly a man appeared in the window, waving at me.  He unlocked the door and invited me in to see the interior of the building.  The original pharmaceutical cabinetry, display cabinets and glass covered shelves, and working soda fountain from the 1920s are still present.  The shelves contain items (such as lotions, powders, etc.) that he said date from the 1930s-1950s.

The ironwork is stamped with "Decatur Cornice and RFG Co., Inc., New Decatur, ALA."

Today was definitely a better day--a long day, a busy day, but ended with the pleasure of a stop in downtown, and the kindness of strangers, along with 3 amazing finds, one totally fortuitous.  I'll be writing about two of them on Preservation in Mississippi in coming weeks, but we'll make a few more stops in downtown Philadelphia, too.  Thanks for stopping by!

Note: all information regarding the building from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and the Downtown Historic District nomination form, Jennifer Baughn, 2004.