Lindy's Parchen Drugs
In the Horsky Block at Sixth & Main

 

The H. M. Parchen Co., 1 South Main

Pictured above is the H. M. Parchen Co. at 1 South Main, about 1893. Prussian native Henry M. Parchen was the first wholesale druggist in Montana, and a noted civic leader in early Helena.

Parchen opened the doors of the first drug store in the state in a building at the corner of Wood and Main streets in 1865. Prior to that, he had conducted a general merchandise business at
Virginia City and at Deer Lodge.

Business in Helena grew rapidly. Parchen moved his store to a building at the foot of Broadway, but it was soon found to be inadequate, and a second move was made to the location across the street at 1 South Main.

In 1921, Parchen sold the retail drug business, along with the use of the trusted Parchen name, to George W. Padbury. It appears from newspaper archives that Parchen's Drug Store moved from the Broadway location and opened in the Horsky Block, at the corner of Sixth and Main, in 1924.

In October of 1954, Fred Padbury (1894-1961) sold Parchen's to C. Douglas Lindeberg (1916-1988) , who renamed the concern "Lindy's Parchen Drug".

The following 1950s photos of Lindy's Parchen Drug are courtesy of Bob and Susie Lindeberg...

 

Lindy's Parchen Drug in the Horsky Block, mid-1950s


COLLECTION OF BOB & SUSIE LINDEBERG

 

 

Magazine Racks in Lindy's


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Lindy's Parchen Drug, With the Old Tin Ceiling


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Hair Care Department


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Note the marble bases on the showcases.

 

 

Pharmacist and Owner C. Douglas Lindeberg


COLLECTION OF BOB & SUSIE LINDEBERG

 


COURTESY OF INEZ SLAYMAN



Honeycomb Tissue-Paper Bells at the Holidays


COLLECTION OF BOB & SUSIE LINDEBERG

 


1959 Remodeling

On April 2, 1959, this ad appeared in the Independent Record announcing Parchen's remodeling sale. A new floor and fixtures greeted the eager customers. There were merchandise giveaways, and a contest to win a 32-piece set of stainless steel dinnerware by guessing how many aspirin tablets were contained in "The world's largest bottle of aspirin", which was on display. There were also demonstrations of a Keystone home movie camera...



Helenans at the Grand Opening Festivities


COLLECTION OF BOB & SUSIE LINDEBERG

 

 


COLLECTION OF BOB & SUSIE LINDEBERG
Remodeling Sale customers browse the shelves. Note the many flower arrangements.


New Floor and Fixtures


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COLLECTION OF BOB & SUSIE LINDEBERG



Product Demonstrators


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The big bottle of aspirin is on the right.


 


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Probably a Prize Drawing


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Marjorie Shafer Lindeberg Behind the Counter


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A color view of the giant bottle of aspirin.


 

Douglas Lindeberg


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Douglas and Marjorie Lindeberg


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The Site of the Horsky Block and Lindy's Parchen Drug, 2007
Now Constitution Park


COLLECTION OF BOB & SUSIE LINDEBERG