McGill Drugs was part of one of Calgary’s first pharmacy chains, founded in 1906 by David McCutcheon and William McGill. It’s worth exploring the history of this early Calgary drugstore, its features, and the ambitious men who established it. Read on at calgary1.one.
About the Original Pharmacy
The McGill Drugs pharmacy in Calgary was located at 801 17th Avenue SW, situated in the Lower Mount Royal neighbourhood.
McGill Drugs operated from 1915 until 1963. A surviving black-and-white photograph of the drugstore, taken by Allison Jackson, is preserved in the Calgary Public Library collection (Operations Centre Collection), donated by the Allison Jackson Estate. The photograph illustrates a fascinating aspect of Calgary’s retail history and urban development.
David McCutcheon and his college friend William McGill established the first pharmacy chain in Calgary in 1906. This was a period of significant growth and prosperity for Calgary, which the two ambitious young men capitalized on. Let’s learn more about the founders.
David McCutcheon was born in Whitfield, Ontario. He was the fourth child of Samuel and Emily. By age 15, he was living with his family in Gainsborough, Saskatchewan, and in 1896, he returned to Ontario. In 1904, David attended the University of Toronto, earning a pharmaceutical degree. Prior to his marriage to Muriel in March 1906 (according to a local newspaper article), he was a practicing pharmacist. His biography notes that he briefly ran his own drugstore in Grand Valley, Ontario. The couple had seven children.
Interestingly, David McCutcheon later founded a large real estate agency, focusing heavily on that business. The company, “McCutcheon Brothers Ltd.,” was registered in Ontario in 1911 and first opened its doors in Toronto under the name “Western Real Estate Brokers.” Another compelling fact: David McCutcheon was the founder of the Elbow Park neighbourhood in 1907. Its development began in 1910, and it remains one of Calgary’s oldest and most affluent areas.
As for William McGill, he concentrated on the pharmaceutical side of the business he shared with his friend. He earned the title of Honorary Life Member of the Alberta College of Pharmacy—a recognition of his significant contribution to the development of the pharmaceutical field in the province.
A Walk Through the Neighbourhood
Lower Mount Royal, particularly along 17th Avenue, is home to many unique historical buildings:
- The Devenish, built in 1911, was initially an apartment building. Locals later watched it transform into cafes, bakeries, and then popular shops (908 17 Ave SW).
- McGill Drugs Pharmacy was founded in 1915 and was recognized in 1920 for its creative advertising that united the community (801 17th Avenue SW).
- A walk through the area will lead locals to the historic Kalamata Grocery, founded in 1978. The owner named the store after the region in Greece famous for its olives. It is one of the oldest grocery stores in Calgary (1421 – 11th Street SW).
- The virtual journey concludes at Tompkins Park, established in 1915 on land donated by Henry and Eleanor Tompkins. It remains a popular meeting and relaxation spot for locals, hosting time for great food and live music (17 Ave & 8 Street SW).
The Modern Legacy
Returning to the modern history of the McGill Drugs location: What happened to 801 17th Avenue SW? The building is situated in a desirable area and features underground parking. It now hosts a residential complex, and on the site of the former pharmacy stands a Shoppers Drug Mart retail centre. This creates a unique link between the past and the present, underscoring the location’s continued role as a point of access to pharmaceutical services for the local community.
Characterizing the current tenants of this property, it boasts a strong lineup of businesses:
- Primary MD, a medical clinic where residents can seek assistance.
- Black Sheep bakery, a popular food establishment. The bakery offers fresh pastries and coffee, creating a cozy space for visitors.
- Fjallraven and ARC’TERYX. Calgarians are well-acquainted with these stores, which feature famous brands of clothing and gear geared toward outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking high-quality apparel.
The building at 801 17th Avenue SW is also surrounded by major tenants in the Mount Royal West area, such as GoodLife Fitness (a fitness centre), West Elm (a furniture and decor store), Urban Fare (a premium supermarket), and Canadian Tire (a large retailer for home goods, sports equipment, and auto supplies).
Who lives in the area? The residents are generally affluent millennials, young professionals, and families. These demographics highly value convenience and access to quality services and goods. They mostly lead active lifestyles.
The Evolution of McGill Drugs
Analyzing the history of McGill Drugs reveals the evolution of the location into a modern complex. Interestingly, despite the disappearance of the original pharmacy, the pharmaceutical presence on this site remains. Shoppers Drug Mart, Canada’s largest pharmacy chain, offers health, beauty, and convenience products with extended hours, prescription and non-prescription medications, as well as quality health products, beauty items, groceries, and gifts.
