H & P Page 8
Wood County Historical and Preservation Society
STOUT'S SODA FOUNTAIN.
Do you remember it? Though Stout's wasn't the only place in town to offer "fountain service", it was probably the most popular, certainly the most nostalgic and the most dearly missed by an aging generation of Parkersburgers. Stout's Drug Store, located at Sixth and Market became an anchor for that block of Market street.
WHERE DID IT GO!
Opened in 1897 by O. J. Stout, the business was then located diagonally across Market street. The store sold the typical drugs, but it was not the typical drug store. The difference? Tiffany-style lights, food service and huge mirror behind a marble and onyx soda fountain counter over which many tasty foods were passed! The fountain, brought to Parkersburg from Philadelphia in 1900, soon became the "place to be" in downtown Parkersburg. One of those who prepared and passed the tasty treats over the counter was Sandy Parsons who spent over 14 years at Stout's. She recalls that three or four girls worked behind the counter and throughout the store. They were always busy, but they thoroughly enjoyed their work. She was there until the store moved to the Dudley Avenue location in 1983. Though their offerings ranged from sandwiches to plate lunches, customer favorites were their
fountain creations and great pies.
Read and see more of this historic inn at:
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