Still Old School

Bitterroot Drug

Five sets of owners in more than a century. Candy's still up front.

The Story

Downtown Hamilton pharmacy on Main Street since about 1900. It calls itself Montana's longest continuously operated, and it's still filling prescriptions.

Bitterroot Drug calls itself Montana’s longest continuously operated pharmacy. Copper baron Marcus Daly established it, and M.M. Cone, the first licensed female pharmacist in Montana, was its first manager. Dr. Stephen McGrath took it over in 1900 and moved it to Main Street.

Then came the handoffs. Ben Ogg ran it until 1939, when Bob and Kay Hall bought it. Wayne and Helen Hedman took over in 1969. Pete and Jeni Seifert, both Montana natives, have run it since 2006 as the fifth set of owners. That’s a short list for a business this old.

It’s still a full pharmacy, with compounding and free delivery inside Hamilton city limits. Up front: candy, gifts and souvenirs.

Picking up a prescription? Grab some candy on the way out. Some drugstore habits are worth keeping.

Why It's Still Old School

Five sets of owners in more than a century. It still fills prescriptions, and there's still candy and souvenirs up front, the way a drugstore ought to be.