Snouder’s Drug Store
Abel Miller Conklin was a druggist in New York City. In 1880 he moved to Oyster Bay for his health. The Conklin family ancestors helped settle Miller Place on Long Island.
Conklin’s original drugstore was located at a different spot on South Street, but the exact location remains unknown.
In 1884 he relocated to the corner and ran the business with the help of his son-in-law, Andrew Snouder.
Conklin died shortly thereafter and Snouder ran the business as Conklin’s until 1900 when he graduated from New York College of Pharmacy.
TR would get his prescriptions filled at Snouder’s including a standing order for nitroglycerin to treat his heart problems.
In 1887 Snouder installed the first telephone in Oyster Bay. The telephone brought the press to Snouder’s as they covered the news of Theodore Roosevelt, both as Governor and President.
Before TR became president Snouder’s son Arthur delivered telephone messages from the drug store up to Sagamore Hill.
A phone was installed at Sagamore Hill when Roosevelt became president. Their phone number was Oyster Bay 67. Installing a phone at Sagamore Hill enabled TR to stay in Oyster from May until October. The phone and its instant connection to Washington enabled Sagamore Hill to become the first Summer White House in American history.
