History of the Fountain
The Chugwater Soda Fountain is housed in one of the oldest standing buildings in the town of Chugwater. Constructed in 1914, the original building was destroyed on December 12, 1916, when strong winds spread a fire through the Chugwater business district. The soda fountain was rebuilt shortly after.
Pharmacist William Corry took ownership in 1919. During this period, the iconic fountain bar arrived. The bar was originally built in England and installed in a business in Rock Creek, Wyoming. In 1927, it was dismantled and hauled via wagon to Chugwater where it was installed in Corry’s Pharmacy and remains to this day. The mirror and glass are all original, as are the pharmacy cabinets on the south wall.
(Photo courtesy of Paul Doerder)
Lee R. Snyder purchased Corry’s Pharmacy in 1938 and changed the business’ name to Snyder’s Drug Store. Wendell the elk arrived at Snyder's Drug Store in 1947. Wendell was shot near Jackson, Wyoming in 1946 and has overlooked the soda fountain since his installation.
Lee Snyder sold his business to Sheldon Latta in 1954 and Snyder’s Drug Store became Latta’s Drug Store. Snyder owned the store until 1968 when he sold it to John and Irma Bode. Since there was no longer a pharmacist in residence, the soda fountain stopped operating as a drugstore and shifted to offering food and other supplies. It has changed hands a number of times since then.
