Johnson Drug Company - 75th Anniversary!
Johnson Drug Company was founded in 1933. In the 1930s, the original site of Johnson Drug Co. was on Old Bridge Street, across from the Courthouse. In 1961, a second store was opened on New Bridge Street. The original store closed in 1971. In 1978, JDC opened a store in the West Park Shopping Center. The New Bridge Street and West Park locations are still active today.
The original owner of Johnson Drug Company, Inc. was Graham Johnson - the first pharmacist in town. The drug store, associated with REXALL Drug Wholesale Company, started out carrying basic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medications and a variety of sundry items. As with most drug stores of that time, Johnson's store had a large soda fountain, which served soft drinks, ice cream and homemade hot and cold sandwiches.
Through the years, JDC has diversified the services and items offered. Besides pharmaceuticals, today JDC carries a variety of gifts (candles, figurines, dolls, lighthouses), basic household items (cleaning supplies, paper products, soaps), limited food items (canned goods, snacks, drinks and candies) and other medical supplies and equipment.
USO - 66th Anniversary!
The USO (United Service Organizations) is a private, nonprofit organization, supported entirely by private citizens and corporations. The USO was formed in response to a 1941 request from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who determined it would be best if private organizations handled the on-leave recreation of the rapidly growing U.S. armed forces. Roosevelt's call to action led to six civilian agencies to coordinate their civilian war efforts and resources to form a new organization - the USO (United Service Organizations). The six civilian agencies were the Salvation Army, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), National Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board.
USO facilities were quickly opened in such unlikely places as churches, log cabins, museums, castles, barns, beach and yacht clubs, railroad sleeping cars, old mansions and storefronts. At its high point in 1944, the USO had more than 3,000 clubs. USO's could be many things to many people: a lively place to dance and meet people; a place to see movies or find religious counsel; a quiet place to talk or write letters; and, of course, the place to go for free coffee and doughnuts.
February 4, 1941 -- The USO incorporated in the state of New York.
October 13, 1941 -- The first USO Club is established in Fayetteville, NC.
April 23, 1942 -- The USO of Jacksonville, NC is established. This USO is the oldest operating USO in the world.
CONTACT US
Bettering Our Local Downtown
B.O.L.D. of Jacksonville, Inc.
421 Court Street ~ Jacksonville, NC 28540
Ph: 910-937-7222 / Fx: Same - please call first.
Email: BOLDassist@eastnc.twcbc.com
