159 Woodhouse Lane
#SUBHEADING#159 Woodhouse Lane#SUBHEADINGEND# Mr Walter Thomas Castelow's shop at 159 Woodhouse Lane was the oldest surviving chemist shop in Leeds when it was demolished for the redevelopment of the University in 1976. #SUBHEADING#Chemist Shop#SUBHEADINGEND# Opening in 1841 under the name Bentley's, the shop had a long history and operated under the names Dearden's and Brown's, before finally coming into the hands of Walter Thomas Castelow in 1907. Over the course of the twentieth century the world outside was to undergo a great deal of change; however the little shop was to retain its Victorian character and atmosphere throughout. #SUBHEADING#Original fittings#SUBHEADINGEND# Many of the original 1840s fittings remained, the sturdy mahogany counter, the drug run, the glass fronted cabinets, showcases and shelves, gilt labelled jars, coloured bottles, and huge glass rounds which contained liquids, powders, tablets and pills, continued to be used by Castelow until his death in 1974. Like his shop Mr Castelow's own appearance was unique; throughout his life he continued to wear the smart, professional dress of his Edwardian youth, he refused to wear the white lab coat and instead opted for a waistcoat, jacket, cravat and stiffly starched two inch collar. He struck an imposing figure but his warm smile quickly put people at ease. #SUBHEADING#Traditional Remedies#SUBHEADINGEND# Mr Castelow's medical consultations often ended with him issuing a traditional remedy rather than dispensing a factory made brand drug. Mr Castelow was a traditional Edwardian chemist; 'cooking up' his medicines in house. He would consult his hard leather bound pharmacopoeia, his hand written equations and Latin notes to concoct the correct preparation. He would pick his ingredients by hand from his drug run and shelves; grinding dried ingredients in the large pestle and mortar, measuring out syrups, treacles and other liquids with nothing but his steady hand and some Victorian glass measures, and turning pastes into tablets, suppositories and even pills with the use if his Victorian pill making machine. Despite increasing restriction and even the removal of some of the traditional ingredients under the poisons act and other regulations, Mr Castelow was still a great believer in many of the traditional remedies, as were his customers, some of whom travelled all over the country to sample Castelow's curious cures, for anything from headaches to bronchitis.
Mr Walter Thomas Castelow
Walter Thomas Castelow was born, 16th January, 1876 in Kirkgate, near Leeds. Castelow was locally educated at Middle Class School, Vernon Road, Leeds, before attending the Yorkshire College, now Leeds University. Working life began in 1894, when at the age of 16 he signed indentures as an apprentice for Messrs. Abbot and Anning, of Fenton Street, Leeds.
From 159 Woodhouse Lane to Hull Streetlife Museum
When Mr Castelow died at the age of 98 his chemist shop which had stood at 159 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, for 133 years, was to be demolished. Realising the potential loss, Mr Castelow's will provided that the shop's unique contents be preserved within a Yorkshire Museum.
159 Woodhouse Lane
Mr Walter Thomas Castelow's shop at 159 Woodhouse Lane was the oldest surviving chemist shop in Leeds when it was demolished for the redevelopment of the University in 1976.
Making the medicines
Whilst there were a number of medicines which were ordered from outside companies, most remedies were composed behind the chemist's counter. It was a time consuming and skilled process. Read on to discover the life of a pill, from mortar to medicine bottle.
Danger in the Dispensary
We visit a chemist shop assuming we will be given a safe and helpful remedy to cure our complaints. Today that is just what we receive but in the past there was a darker more dangerous side to the local pharmacy. Read on to discover a taste of the old medicine.
The carboy
Seen in many a chemist shop window, the carboy was an impressive symbol of the pharmaceutical profession. There was a range of designs and the coloured liquid contained inside made them an appealing addition to any window display. Read on to discover their origins and uses.
