Rainier Oregon Historical Museum
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Soley's Pharmacy 1948-1966
Verner (Verne) and Henrietta Soley

  

A real photo postcard by Smith's Scenic Views titled "Street Scene - Rainier Oregon" taken in the 1950s. Soley's Pharmacy can be seen at left with what looks like Mr. Soley standing in the entryway. (postcard in the Mike Clark collection)


Interior view of Soley's Pharmacy from the 1952 Rainier Union High School yearbook. Verne Soley with his wife Henrietta.

  

Verner M. Soley opened his first pharmacy (A) in 1948 on the north side of East B Street (Hwy 30) next to Bross Hardware (that is now Luigi's Pizza) and moved, prior to May 1962, across to the South side of the street (B) to 110 East B St. He closed his business in 1966

Verner M. Soley graduated from Washington State College in 1929 and served in the Navy during WWII for three years as a chief pharmacist mate. He spent eight years in Juneau, Alaska where he met and married his wife Henrietta Curtis. Verner and his wife moved to Rainier in 1948 and opened their pharmacy on November 13, 1948 in the Hirtzel building that was located on the north side of East B Street (Hwy 30) between East 1st St. and East 2nd St. Mrs. Soley's parents Arnold and Alice Curtis had also moved earlier that same year from Alaska and settled in nearby Prescott, Oregon. Sometime prior to May 1962 Soley moved his pharmacy to the south side East B Street into a larger store (located at 110 E B St). His first store later became the Chuck Wagon Cafe. This building was later torn down and at present (as of April 2020) is a vacant lot. Mr. Soley was involved in several civic activities and belonged to several organizations. Soley closed his Pharmacy on October 31, 1966.
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Image
Description
September 1948 - Second Drug Store Planned in Rainier

Verner M. Soley to open new drug store in the Hirtzel building once occupied by Beaulah's Beauty Shoppe. From the September 2, 1948 Rainier (Oregon) Review.
November 1948 - New Drug Store Opening Saturday In Klix Building

Verner M. Soley and his wife Henrietta opened their pharmacy on November 13, 1948. The location was in the Hirtzel building, not the Klix building. From the November 11, 1948 Rainier (Oregon) Review.
November 1948 - Soley's first advertisement

From the November 18, 1948 Rainier (Oregon) Review.
November 1949 - Soley's First Anniversary

From the November 17, 1949 Rainier (Oregon) Review.
1950 Hallmark calendar booklet from Soley's Pharmacy.
November 1950 - Bop's Coffee Shop and Fountain

Bop's was next door to Soley's first store. Bop's became The Chuck Wagon in September 1957. From the November 30, 1950 Rainier (Oregon) Review.
Developed film and negative envelope date stamped February 5, 1957.
September 1957 - Soley's Pharmacy Adds to Facilities

From the September 26, 1957 Rainier (Oregon) Review.
May 1962 - Verne Soley First 'Appreciation Day'
Merchant of Week in New Program

From the May 31, 1962 Rainier (Oregon) Review.
October 1964 - Soleys Recall Start in Rainier 16 Years Ago

From the October 15, 1964 Rainier (Oregon) Review.
October 1966 - Soley's selling stock, Fixtures to Close Store

At the beginning of October 1966 Soley decided to close his pharmacy and sell off his stock and fixtures. He decision to close was in part due to his health and the rumored reconstruction of the Columbia River Highway through Rainier that would've wiped out his site. From the October 13, 1966 Rainier (Oregon) Review.
October 1966 - Soley's Pharmacy Closing Out Sale

Close out ads ran in the Rainier Review for a month starting with the October 6th issue. From the October 27, 1966 Rainier (Oregon) Review.

Additional information:

        Verner M Soley, on "Find a Grave" page.

        Henrietta Marion Soley, on "Find a Grave" page.

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