Our Story
For over 100 years the Jackson Drug and Original Soda Fountain has held a special place in the hearts of locals and tourists alike. The Jackson Drug first opened its doors in 1919 in the old Clubhouse building on the east side of the square, by our great-grandfather, Bruce Porter. In 1937 the soda fountain was moved to its more famous location in the stone building on the northwest corner of the Town Square. Our family ran the soda fountain and pharmacy until 1978 when we sold the building and business to Steve Schultz and Charlie Gaudet. The building was sold once again in 2001 and it was at that time the soda fountain closed its doors. In 2010 our dad, Robert Gill, was given the opportunity to return the building to our family and it was then that we knew we had to bring the Jackson Drug back to the square.
Fast forward to November of 2016 Nikki and Jessica Gill learned that the building would soon be vacant and this was their chance to bring back a piece of Jackson’s past. After a year and a half of careful planning, research, sweat, and even a few tears, the Jackson Drug is finally getting a second chance at life.
We’ve tried our best to honor the history of the Jackson Drug while also breathing some new life and ideas into the iconic space. We hope you enjoy your trip down memory lane and that you might also create some new and lasting memories with us.
Our grandmother, Jeannine Gill, used to tell our dad, “You have a heritage here in Jackson and it’s important. It’s frail, and you have to take care of it.” This is a sentiment our dad instilled in us from an early age, and something we take great pride in living by each and every day. Jackson is more than just our hometown, it’s part of who we are at our core and as a family we’re determined to do our part to protecting Jackson’s small-town character.
Jessica & Nikki Gill
THEN & NOW
The Jackson Drug story began in 1914 when our great-grandfather, Bruce Porter, spent a college summer working here in Jackson Hole.
1914
Our great-grandfather, Bruce Porter, graduated from the College of Pharmacy at Creighton University on February 23rd, 1914. Bruce spent his summers during college working in Jackson Hole, Wyoming at the Jackson Mercantile, which at the time was located on the Town Square, in the Clubhouse building. The building still stands on the East side of the Town Square and is the oldest building on the town square. It is currently home to Hines Jewelers, Wilcox Gallery, and the Resort Store.
1917
Bruce was called to serve in World War I, where he served in France.
1919
Bruce returned home from his tour he purchased the Jackson Mercantile and changed the name to the Jackson Drug Co.
1928
Bruce Porter started the Jackson Hole Hereford Ranch on what is now known as Dog Creek Ranch, in the Snake River Canyon. Bruce Porter bought his first herd of Hereford cattle with the help of his father-in-law Seaver Callahan.
1937
Bruce Porter moved the Jackson Drug Co. to the north side of the Town Square.
1938
Bruce Porter purchased the Wort and Leeks Homesteads and moved the ranch from Dog Creek to its current location on South Park Loop Road.
1952
Bruce Porter’s youngest daughter, Jeannine Porter, marries Ralph Gill.
1961
At the request of his father-in-law Bruce Porter, our grandfather, Ralph Gill, took over the management of the Porter Estate which included – the Jackson Hole Hereford Ranch, the Jackson Drug, the Teton Theater, Astoria Hot Springs, and several other commercial spaces. Ralph was an accountant by trade and as it turns out, he was also a rancher at heart.
1969
Ralph’s son Robert, our father, joined his dad on the summer hay crew at the ripe old age of 11. He worked alongside his father for the majority of his life.
1970
Our grandparents, Ralph and Jeannine Gill and their business partner Virginia Huidekoper started a newspaper called the Jackson Hole News.
1976-1980
Ralph Gill serves as mayor of Jackson.
1994
Ralph Gill handed the reins over to his son Robert (our dad), who has continued the family tradition of ranching with the help of his wife, his five children, Nikki, Patrick, Jessica, Scooter, and J.J., and three of the best cowboys around – Steve, Alex, and Bart.
2010
Our father repurchased the Jackson Drug Store building.
2018
We reopened the Jackson Drug!
