by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator
While finishing up Christmas shopping last week, I happened to look down as I left one of the stores along Newton’s Main Street.
December 2017
Repairs were underway and the top layer in the entry way had been removed and a piece of history was revealed.
611 Main, detail, 2007
Today, the building is home to the Main Street Company, a clothing store. Originally, this building, with the fun architectural details, was Dickey’s Drug & Jewelry.
611 Main, Newton, Ks, 2007
John B. Dickey was born in Michigan in 1848. John, “having a liking for the drug business, learned his profession in Centerville, Mich” where his father was a practicing physician. At the age of 22, Dickey headed to Kansas and settled first in Wichita where he worked as an “assistant postmaster.” He began to hear about a proposed town north of Wichita and the adventures of a cattle drive. He resigned his job to herd cattle. While working as a cowboy, he contracted malaria. He went to the new drug store in Newton owned by W.P. Pugh for quinine. He argued with Pugh over the high price of the drug. The argument ended with Dickey buying the business paying a monthly rent of $65 to Pugh for the small wood frame building. In June 1871, he opened “Dickey’s Drug” in Newton. A year later, building was destroyed by fire, but Dickey’s Drug continued.
John B. Dickey, Sr, taken shortly before his death in 1921.
In 1879, he purchased a lot at 611 Main, Newton and built a new structure and for the next 50 years Dickey’s Drug was a Newton fixture.
Dickey’s Drug & Jewelry, 611 Main, Newton. 1883.
By the turn of the century, he had added jewelry to his stock.
Interior, 611 Main, Newton, 1887.
In addition to running his business, he served on the Newton City Council and as Mayor. Many civic projects, including Newton’s Country Club and two public parks, Military and Themian Parks, succeeded because of his “unfailing optimism.”
Dickey Drug & Jewelry, 611 Main, Newton, 1925.
In 1921, shortly before his death, he celebrated 50 years in business at 611 Main. J.B. Dickey died October 28, 1921.
Dickey’s visible in the background, 1950s.
Main Street Co., 611 Main, Newton, 2007
Sources
- Evening Kansan Republican:28 October 1921, 29 October 1921, 31 October 1921.
- “Career of John B. Dickey” in The Jewelers’ Circular, Vol 83, Issue 2.16 November 1921.
- “New Member of the Jewelers Security Alliance” Jewelers’ Circular & Horological Review, vol. 45 (17 September 1902) p. 44.
- Sapone, Jane. “Presentation Boxes Tell A Story: J.B. Dickey Jeweler, Newton, Kansas.” Thimble Collectors International, Summer 2014, p. 22.