Bjerklie Drug Store

The building that houses the drug store is from West Fargo and was not originally a drug store. It was purchased and donated by a pharmacist, David Olson of Fargo. The building was moved to Bonanzaville in 1975 and the contents inside the store come from the family run Bjerklie Drug Store in Gilby, North Dakota and North Dakota State University. The inside was renovated to recreate the feeling of the Bjerklie Drug Store including the original soda jerk. On display you can find medicine containers, scales, mortar and pestles, and some beauty supplies.

In the 1920s and 30s soda counters became popular serving both soda and ice cream treats. Drug stores would also serve alcohol for “medicinal purpose” during prohibition because alcohol couldn’t be served anywhere else. Watch the video starting at 0:30 to see one of these restored soda jerks in action!