Rutherford Drugstore

Duane's take

The way the official marker tells it, here's the story of the Rutherford Drugstore in Mt. Vernon, Franklin County. Now settle in, because this one's got some reach to it.

We're talkin' about a business that stretches back to 1869, the oldest in Mt. Vernon, and it's still standing. That right there ought to earn some respect before we even get started.

John Griffith Lock Rutherford opened it. Born in 1851, died in 1936, Texas-born, and carrying a name that carried weight. His great grandfather was a general of the American Revolution, the kind of man a Tennessee county got named after.

That's the bloodline young Rutherford was workin' with when he walked into the Ruth Pattillo and Co. Mercantile store and started handling a small line of drugs. Not a pharmacy.

Not a grand establishment. A small line of drugs in somebody else's store. You have to appreciate the humility of that beginning.

But by 1877, he had moved to a place of his own, right at the present site. The same spot. He planted himself there and he did not move.

Along the way, from 1874 to 1882, Rutherford served as postmaster of the town, which was called Lone Star at the time before it was renamed Mt. Vernon. And the marker says he seems to have housed the post office right there in his store.

Drugs, mail, and whatever else a town needed. Then, after 1914, his son Griffith Wright Rutherford carried the business on. One generation passing the counter to the next.

By the time the marker was written in 1974, the store had entered its second century, and an heir still retained an interest in it. One hundred and some years rooted to that same corner of Mt. Vernon.

A small line of drugs. Look at it now.

What the marker says

Oldest business in Mt. Vernon, opened in 1869 by John Griffith Lock Rutherford (1851-1936), Texas-born great grandson of American Revolution general for whom a Tennessee county was named. Young Rutherford began by handling a small line of drugs in the Ruth Pattillo & Co. Mercantile store, went into store of his own at present site in 1877. Postmaster of the town (Lone Star, renamed Mt. Vernon), 1874-82, he seems to have housed post office in store. Son Griffith Wright Rutherford carried on business after 1914. Now in second century, an heir retains interest in the store. (1974)