Sargent's Pharmacy (fmr)

Parent Place or Precinct

26586 Central York Heritage Area

Statement of Significance

Sargent’s Pharmacy (fmr) is significant for its pharmaceutical associations. The double-storey building is a unique example of Victorian and Federation architectural influences designed on a skewed corner. The landmark building makes a considerable contribution to the historic aesthetic of York’s main street and the townscape.

Physical Description

The imposing two-storey building wraps the street corner with a truncated entry on the corner and a tall parapet with a simple curved pediment with a mortar and pestle crowning it. The protruding frontage has a symmetrical shop front at ground floor level. The curved roof over the ground floor shopfront and entry is detailed in contrasting sheet colours.
The main part of the building is in bonded brickwork, indicating it was built before cavity walls were required. Once the new owner bought the building, the old kitchen was demolished. Local builder D Ayoub cut bricks so that the brickwork resembles from the outside, the original bonding, replacing the old timer and louvers structure. The original toilets were in the garden and the building is still there, used as storage of wood for the potbelly stove in the new kitchen.
The cellar beneath the shop is large, but the outline of Obeithio Sargent’s dark room can still be seen. Some of the photographs are in the shop, showing York in times of flooding. The automatic pump installed in the cellar means that the cellar no longer floods.

History

Obeitho Sargent, a dentist and pharmacist (also claims that he was a botanist) established a pharmacy business in York in 1885, and built this shop and residence in 1904 to continue that business. During the time of establishing Sargent’s Pharmacy, he lived at Redmile House, and after Sargent’s Pharmacy he lived on the corner of Avon Terrace and Broome Street. His wife and sons were also notable identities. Gertrude was a pharmacist in the 1920s, Oswald was a noted Botanist, Lionel was in medical services in World War O, and Philip was also a World War One veteran.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Moderate
Authenticity: Moderate/high

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.