Various Assemblages: August 2019 Edition
=====================================================================================
In the heart of Pettigrew, Arkansas, a town that thrived during the booming timber industry of the 1880s, stood the Mooney-Barker Drugstore. This historic pharmacy, which opened its doors in 1917, became a cornerstone of the community, serving its residents for over six decades.
Pettigrew, with its ten sawmills, general stores, hotels, restaurants, and various other establishments, was a bustling town in Northwest Arkansas. By 1912, it was a hub of activity, offering a wide range of services to its growing population. The Mooney-Barker Drugstore was one such establishment, providing essential goods and services to the community.
The drugstore was owned and operated by Arthur and Helen Mooney Barker, in partnership with Helen's father, Dr. W. H. Mooney. Arthur served as the druggist, jeweler, and pawnbroker, offering a helping hand to those in need during tough times. Helen managed the store's soda fountain, a popular gathering spot for the town's residents.
Dr. Mooney kept hours out of an office off the back of the Mooney-Barker Drugstore, providing medical services to the community. The drugstore became a time capsule of goods spanning most of the 20th Century, preserving a snapshot of rural Arkansas medical and commercial history.
After closing its doors in 1980, the contents of the Mooney-Barker Drugstore found a new home at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale, Arkansas. The museum, dedicated to collecting and preserving artifacts and stories from the Ozark region, now houses the Mooney-Barker collection.
The collection includes a variety of pharmaceutical artifacts, original drugstore fixtures, bottles, and medicines, offering a glimpse into the past. For those interested in the detailed history or current holdings of the Mooney-Barker Drugstore collection, contacting the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History directly or visiting their archives would provide the most accurate and comprehensive information.
Today, the Mooney-Barker collection can be seen in exhibits at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. For access to the collection's archived records, contact the museum at shilohmuseum.org/contact-us. The Mooney-Barker Drugstore, a piece of rural Arkansas history, continues to be preserved and celebrated, ensuring its legacy lives on.
As the Mooney-Barker Drugstore, a historical establishment in Pettigrew, Arkansas, served the community for over six decades, it became a hub for various services, including home-and-garden items, reflecting the lifestyle of the town's residents. Today, the home-and-garden artifacts from the Mooney-Barker Drugstore can be found at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, offering visitors a glimpse into the rural Arkansas lifestyle of the 20th Century.
