RICHARDSON'S PHARMACY
The history of Harvard is almost completely paralleled by the history of
Richardson's Pharmacy.
In 1864, about the time Harvard was established, Sam and Charles Richardson
opened their pharmacy to care for the needs of the area. They were in the
building where the Saunders Theater once stood and now houses the American
Legion.
In the 1870's they built the building where the Harvard State Bank now
stands. In the 1880's Samuel bought out his brother and moved to 34 N. Ayer
Street where the Express Travel Agency is now (1976) located. When Sam died
in 1906, his son, Webber, took over the business, assisted by his brother
Frank. Also, in 1906, Webb's daughter Marjorie joined the firm. In 1923 she
married W. J. Carlisle who also became affiliated with the store. Webber died
in 1938 and the Carlisles became sole owners.
Then, after eighty years in the Richardson family, the business was sold, in
1944, to D. C. Johnson. He continued the operation for twenty years and then,
in 1964, sold it to Joseph J. Flanagan.
In 1970, Mr. Flanagan moved the store to 32 North Ayer to the old First State
Bank Building.
In 1971 the drug store was purchased by Richard Maynard. He is assisted by
Lynn Saunders and Joe Flanagan. Through all these changes, the name of the
pharmacy carries on.