History Tidbit: Soda Fountains

Wallowa County had a number of Soda Fountains in the prime days of these establishments, namely the 1950’s and 60’s. These Soda Fountains were often located in Pharmacies. FW Woolworth stores had Soda Fountains for decades nationwide. I will start with Wallowa. The Soda Fountain there was always in the Pharmacy building which burned about 15 years ago, leaving a gap in the Main Street. The Wallowa History Center owns pictures that feature the counter of the Fountain in 1907. Irene Barklow’s Lostine book shows a picture of Kenneth McKenzie’s Drug store in 1900 and it definitely contains a Soda Fountain. This is where the Lostine Tavern operated for years. In the 50’s and 60’s the Homan Drug Store was the Soda Fountain for Enterprise.  This building still stands on the south west corner of the main intersection in Enterprise.  It was the meeting place for the teens. Joseph had a Soda Fountain that existed in the 50’s and 60’s, maybe earlier, the present site of Anton’s. It was owned at one time by Mrs Walter Brennan. Knoxie Coalman owned it in the 1960’s.

Written by Marilyn Hulse, April 2024