America’s Oldest Pharmacy Celebrates 200 Years of Service
Carl’s Drug Store, located on North Antrim Way in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, is set to celebrate its 200th anniversary on August 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event commemorates two centuries of continuous pharmacy service and community stewardship in one small town.
A Community Fixture Since 1825
Founded in 1825 by Dr. Adam Carl, Carl’s Drug Store quickly became a trusted source for medicine, health advice, and home visitation in south-central Pennsylvania. Dr. Carl, born in 1800 to a family of German immigrants, became both pharmacist and physician. He delivered care across a 30-mile radius—sometimes riding his horse to reach patients unable to travel.
Despite relocating six times over the centuries, the store has remained deeply rooted in Greencastle. Its longevity earned it the unofficial title of America’s oldest continuously operating independent pharmacy in the same community.
Bicentennial Celebration Highlights
Carl’s Drug Store will host a public celebration featuring local flavor and festive activities. Special promotions include 20% off all regularly priced items, a free commemorative ornament with any in-store purchase, and door prize giveaways—including a $200 cash grand prize.
The noon program will feature a speech by Dr. Wayne Myers, current owner-pharmacist, and a recognition from Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano honoring the pharmacy’s legacy. Free ice cream will be offered to the first 200 visitors, alongside offerings from local food trucks.
A Legacy of Innovation and Service
Across its 200-year history, Carl’s Drug has adapted while preserving its sense of local care. In the late 19th century, Dr. Carl installed Greencastle’s first telephone in the store, charging $24 annually to connect the community. Over time, the pharmacy also evolved alongside advances in medicine and retail practices.
Ownership changed hands in 1974 when pharmacist Frank Ervin purchased the store from Edward Carl, the founder’s great‑grandson. Ervin, who had worked at the pharmacy since childhood, maintained the traditional service model while expanding the business and relocating it years later for improved access and parking.
A Window Into the Past
Carl’s Drug has preserved many historical artifacts—including vintage pill rollers, mortar and pestles, and early medicine bottles—many of which are displayed at Greencastle’s Allison‑Antrim Museum. The store’s archives provide a window into how pharmacy and community care evolved over two centuries.
Why It Matters
Carl’s Drug Store’s bicentennial is more than a milestone—it underscores the value of independent pharmacies in small-town America. As major chains continue to expand, Carl’s stands that rare example of a locally owned pharmacy operating under the same name and serving the same community for two centuries. That continuity has formed deep personal relationships across generations of families.
In an era when healthcare delivery increasingly leans on consolidation and automation, Carl’s Drug remains a testament to personalized service and hometown care. As Dr. Myers put it: “This isn’t just a celebration of our store—it’s a celebration of independent pharmacy, community, history, and the generations of families who have trusted us with their care.”