One of the Iongest running local business, and a landmark On the comer of
50th Street and 49th Avenue, was the Medical Hall Drug Co. In 1907 when the
business was two years old, it was purchased from Dr. J.T. Hill by Spurgeon
Aston and Alex Miller. Spurgeon was the druggist and Alex the
salesman. It was the only drugstore in Lloydminster for the first
decade. In the early days, the two-storey structure also housed the Land
Titles office and the practice of Dr. W.W. Amos.
Spurgeon's brother Claude and nephew Harold bought Spurgeon's part of the
business in 1923. Disaster struck in 1929 when the Medical Hall burned to
the ground with most of downtown Lloydminster.
The drug store was rebuilt, and during the 30's diversified into many unusual
lines, including sporting goods, radios, Gramophones, Victrolas, and records.
Following the Second World War the Medical Hall received a quota of household appliances. Later, the camera department would be the largest in
Lloydminster.
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| L-R: Harold Aston, Rex Scott (traveling salesman for Rexall Drugs), Claude Aston and Alex Miller |
Harold's brother Cecil and sister Elsie were both Pharmacists and on staff at
one time. Thus it became a four generation business. Bob Baynton,
brother of George Baynton Sr. was a partner in the Medical Hall for several
years before taking over Moxley Drugs in the early 60's.
Harold's son, Doug, bought into the store in 1962. The Medical Hall had
been in the Aston family for over 80 years when it was sold to Ron Lane in 1989.
In 1992 the drugstore was closed, the end of an era.