Lansing's First Drug Store: 1887-1971

The building that has become known as home to Lansing’s very first drug store sits at the corner of Allegan and S. Washington Avenue..... 123 S. Washington Avenue, to be exact.

If you gaze at the top of the building, you’ll see the name “Rouser”, which was the name of the drug store and the man who founded it.

Christian Rouser was just 24 years old when he founded the business in 1887. It contained a soda fountain which became a place to congregate for teens and people on their lunch break. The soda fountain had a good long run, lasting into the era of World War II. It was at this time that the fountain was closed down to make way for a prescription area.

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The building was purchased by Lloyd Reynolds in 1955 and the drug store finally closed in 1971. Upon closing, it was noted as the oldest pharmacy/drug store in Lansing. It is a vital part of the Lansing Downtown Historic District, and in 2009 it was entered on the list of the National Register of Historic Places.