Jackson Michigan News and Information, News for Jackson MI

He erected a home at 206 Irwin Avenue where he and his wife Mary lived the rest of their lives. Kinmont opened his drugstore in Albion at 402 S. Superior St. in the Peabody Block. Today this is the south half of The Foundry Bakery establishment. A photograph of the storefront appears in the 1894 “Souvenir of the City of Albion, Michigan” pictorial.

By 1897 (City Directory), Kinmont had moved his business to the northwest corner of S. Superior and W. Erie Streets in the Sheldon Block, 318 S. Superior St. Today of course, this is the location of Parks Drug Store which succeeded Kinmont at this location. A 1901 advertisement stated, “B. F. Kinmont, City Drug Store, Headquarters for the old reliable White Pine Balsam.” During the time that Albion was a bastion for the Prohibition movement in the early 20th century, Kinmont was convicted of violating the liquor laws in June, 1907. He was fined $100 plus $100 costs.

On June 5, 1922 (100 years ago this year), Bruce Kinmont retired and sold his drugstore to Floyd Parks, and the rest is history. Kinmont passed away at his home on January 2, 1924 due to a heart ailment at the age of 67, and was interred in Riverside Cemetery next to his wife Mary (1860-1916). His obituary stated, “Mr. Kinmont was a man of sterling character, highly esteemed by a wide circle of friends, who will cherish the memory of his patient, kindly disposition, his devotion to his family and his adherence to duty and honesty during his long business career.” Bruce and Mary were survived by a daughter Josephine (1899-1986) Kittinger, and a granddaughter Mary Louise Kittinger.

From our Historical Notebook this week we present a photograph of Bruce in his establishment leaning against the counter. Being a druggist back then was different than it is today. Not only could you mix your own concoctions, but you sold items that would not be popular today in a drugstore. On the left we see a large glass case filled with cigar boxes, and a sign advertising “Murad, the Turkish Cigarette.” In the distance in the center is an American flag bunting, with a picture of a man in the center.

On the right we see a display case filled with yummy chocolates and other confections. The stack of boxes on the right next to the cash register state, “Made in Chocolate Town” on the side. The woman clerk is unidentified, but perhaps it is Bruce’s wife Mary (Sinn). Special thanks to Parks Drug Store for supplying this week’s photograph.