Elizabeth Adamson

Elizabeth Adamson

First Female Druggist

Elizabeth Adamson's story begins with her husband, George Adamson's appointment as Oil Springs' court clerk in the 1860s. They, with their two small children, moved to the rough and tumble Village of Oil Springs in 1863. While building their home, the village doctor persuaded George to add a wing to the house that would hold an office and drug store. Once completed, Elizabeth worked as an assistant in the drug store for Dr. Samuel Macklem. Under his direction, she studied the art and science of pharmacy. In 1866, Elizabeth purchased the doctor's stock of herbs, chemicals, and medicines. Not long afterwards, she became the province's first licensed female pharmacist.

Home of Adamson Family. Small building in the middle was used as Elizabeth's pharmacy.

After the collapse of the oil boom in Oil Springs, people began to move away. This decline meant retailers either plunged into bankruptcy or abandoned the village altogether. Adamson's pharmacy persevered. To keep her shop afloat, Elizabeth wisely diversified her stock to include a line of groceries. She kept her business well into her 50s and in 1886 her daughter, Lucy, took over the store's management. John Windlow later purchased it.