Tumultous history of Galveston's Star Drug Store This Forgotten Day in Houston

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less Considered Texas' oldest drug store, the Star Drug Store in Galveston has survived more than a century filled with violent storms, incredible political change and a change in ownership. See these other Houston ... more Considered Texas' oldest drug store, the Star Drug Store in Galveston has survived more than a century filled with violent storms, incredible political change and a change in ownership. Image 1 of / 87 Caption Close Tumultous history of Galveston's Star Drug Store 1 / 87 Back to Gallery

May 8, 1989: On this day, Star Drug Store in Galveston was open once again, several years after its previous owners retired. The new owner, Ellie Rogers, had mortgaged everything she owned to buy the historic building.

The building was designed by Galveston architect Nicholas Clayton and originally opened in 1890. In 1917, a horseshoe-shaped, tile soda fountain counter was added to what had just been a pharmacy. For nearly 60 years, Star Drug was owned by George Clampitt and Grady Dickinson, and though the store is no longer a pharmacy, the original soda fountain counter still welcomes hungry customers.

Considered the oldest drug store in Texas, the Star was the first desegregated lunch counter in Galveston. However, in its 125 years of existence, the Star has twice been a victim of the elements. In 1998, a fire severely damaged the store, and in 2001, new owners began a five-year restoration project. In 2008, Hurricane Ike left six and half feet of water inside. However, the community came together to help clean up, and three months later the Star reopened.

Do you have a favorite memory of going to Star Drug? Let us know in the comments below or tweet our host, Michael Callahan, @MCallahanTV using #ForgottenDayHOU, and he'll tweet you back.