 
July 1955 – September 1970
LOCATION
Main Street USA – The Upjohn Pharmacy stood at the southwest corner of Main Street’s intersection, halfway between the railroad station and castle. Today, this space houses the jewelry shop, and bumps up right against the Carnation Cafe patio.
EXPERIENCE
Details:
- Merchandise – Vitamins, postcards
- Unique Features – Window display featuring Chinese remedies & medical props
Upjohn Pharmacy was one of the first sponsored shops on Main Street. Despite its name, the shop was not actually a working pharmacy, but a shop that paid tribute to turn-of-the-century medicines. In the front of the store, guests explored a 19th century apothecary, complete with examples of old-fashioned pharmaceutical care. In the back of the store, guests visited a modern pharmacy, with a display detailing manufacturing and distribution in the 20th century. Though officially classified a “shop”, the Pharmacy was really more of an exhibit, and its only merchandise (postcards & vitamins) were given away for free.
CLOSURE
By the end of the 1960s, Disney no longer wanted sponsored shops and attractions that were primarily owned by outside companies. Instead, Disney wanted complete ownership, and thus, complete control. The Upjohn Pharmacy finally closed in 1970, to make room for a clock shop. The new shop did boast a sponsor (Elgin), but remained Disney-owned.
TRIVIA
Two real pharmacists were always in the shop, answering guest questions and sharing expertise on the field of medicine.
Inside the shop, guests saw a jar filled with live leeches!
Today, a lot of the pieces from the Upjohn Pharmacy remain in use, at the University of Arizona’s Pharmacy Museum.
In the 60’s my grandparents had wonderful neighbors whose names escape me, but they left San Antonio and retired in Anaheim. The man was one of the pharmacists at Upjohn. When we visited Disneyland, the man had my grandparents 50th anniversary displayed on the front of the Disneyland paper,, reading Wagner’s Celebrate Fiftieth Anniversary. Don’t know if it was the real paper or mock up, but it was a fun memory. Loved our visit and looking forward to taking my grandchildren.
Ahh, nostalgia. Beautiful. I never visited Disney in the fifties but I do love old photos.
My parents and I visited Disneyland in 1958 when I was 5. Although I don’t remember the Upjohn Pharmacy, we must have visited it, because among some old post cards of my mother’s there are four Disneyland postcards of the Pharmacy, both interior and exterior views.
That’s so cool! I can’t imagine it would be that memorable for a little kid, especially when there were so many other exciting things happening. So amazing that you have postcards!