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Our History

EMINENCE - Winfield's, a restored fountain and emporium dating from Eminence's Roaring 20s, gained a second lease on life July 3, 1999 with a community-wide grand re-opening

Winnie P. Weber, an Eminence native and former Jefferson County state legislator, returned home to resurrect the landmark drugstore with the help of family and friends. "We wanted to save the old Hyde drugstore because it had been the heart of our community for so many decades," Weber said.  Dr. Franklin Hyde finished medical school in St. Louis and returned to Eminence to set up practice in 1897 - just in time to officiate at the hanging of a Winona man, a wife-beater and all-round scoundrel, at the courthouse. Hyde's son, William, graduated from pharmacy school in St. Louis and joined his father in 1920.

Three years later, Dr. Hyde's Eminence Drug Store with his medical offices opened for 11 months, but then burned, all but the 14-inch concrete walls.  The fire consumed that entire side of the 100 block of Main Street, including - it's said - every auto in Eminence, all parked inside to protect against the cold in a garage next to the drugstore.

Hyde rebuilt, more cheaply but still uncommonly stylish for rural Missouri, and created what became a community gathering place.

Until the mid-1960s, the drugstore and fountain offered the only pharmacy services in Shannon County and, for about three decades, served as the Eminence post office, including horseback rural routes. The restoration work - which has added a glow to original features rarely seen outside major cities in the 20s - has preserved two dips in the solid oak flooring: one where the postmaster stood behind the counter; the other where customers lined up for service.

But those subtle touches take a visual back seat to the restored tin ceilings, crown moldings, copper-plated front walls, crystal imbedded in copper and translucent tiles in the sidewalk that are back-lighted from the basement.

Weber bought the drugstore and an adjoining building in October 1998, when it was destined to draw dust. A St. Louis architectural antique dealer, Lloyd Goode, has supervised most of the restoration since, and limited fountain and diner service began in April 1999.

Winfield's made the transition from a grill menu to full-service restaurant with an evolving retail mix, including novelties, local crafts and apparel. The fountain, after a public contest, has been dubbed Winnie's Hyde-A-Way, and celebrates her political years with larger-than-life posters of her and former President Lyndon B. Johnson and Vice President Hubert Humphrey, among others.  A banquet room, with dual fireplaces, is available upstairs. Weber is negotiating with a young pharmacy student to locate here and make prescription drugs available in Eminence for the first time in more than 20 years.

This winter, Winfield's General Store in an adjacent historic building began offering a candy counter, sundries and one-of-a-kind items seldom found in south-central Missouri retailing, Now open in the basement of the drugstore is Rubes Roost a saloon where you can enjoy native hospitality and fantastic food with the atmosphere of a century old bar.

Winfield's, although a community affair and a personal commitment for Weber, is only taking shape because it's a family affair, too.

Weber's Brother, Paul Faulkenberry, a St. Louis antique dealer who moved here five years ago, assists on projects. He's working on an oral video history of the folk medicine practitioners and other colorful characters in the area.

And brother Billy Joe Faulkenberry, a St. Louis antique lighting dealer, contributed one of the most eye-catching additions to the drugstore - a crystal chandelier in the entry that came from an old Chevrolet dealership in St. Louis.

The family's involvement in restoring part of Eminence's history is almost genetic: father Paul Sr. was the Eminence mayor for several terms.  "Besides," Weber said, "I just had to save the one place that I knew would serve pineapple Pepsi."

Yes, pineapple Pepsi...and cherry limeade...and chocolate cokes.  

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