Fredericksburg Flood of 1943 outside of Goolrick's

157 Years of Sweet Memories

For over a century, Goolrick's Pharmacy has been more than a pharmacy. It’s been a gathering place, a first-date spot, an after-school tradition, and a beloved piece of downtown Fredericksburg history.

As one of America’s oldest continuously operating soda fountains, our story is rooted in tradition, community, and timeless treats that generations have grown to love.

For many, a visit to Goolrick's Pharmacy isn’t just about ice cream, it’s about revisiting memories and creating new ones in a place that feels frozen in time in the best possible way.

Goolrick's has endured as one of Fredericksburg's most cherished traditions.

Goolrick's Soda Fountain and Ice Cream Downtown Fredericksburg

1732

First title on record for the property

1790's

Record of domestic residence on property

1807

Building destroyed by fire

1808

First iteration of the building (domestic residence) was built at 901 Caroline Street by Benjamin Botts

1822

First record of business at 901 Caroline St (Tailor Shop)

1869

W. B. Goolrick and Dr. C. A. Jones purchase F. J. Hoomes' drug store on Caroline Street. The Fredericksburg Ledger reports it on April 13. Goolrick's begins.

1874 - 1921

Operated by pharmacist Keating Nelson Goolrick

1892

W. B. Goolrick buys the building itself from Newton Beckwith, whose tin shop had occupied it since 1876. The business and its home are finally under one name

1897

Fire. W. B. hands the business to his son K. Nelson in June. Weeks later, an August fire destroys the entire stock. The Free Lance reported K. Nelson was asleep above the store and had to be led out through the smoke by a bystander. They rebuilt and renamed it Goolrick's Modern Pharmacy in February 1898.

1898

The Daily Star Advertises Goolrick's as the "Coldest Soda"

1910

First business filing as Goolrick's Modern Pharmacy

Operated by Pharmacist W.J. Lacy (d. 1933)

1919

Fire. Started at the stationery store at 905, destroyed 905, 907, and 909. Goolrick's crew carried the stock out into the street and saved it.

1927

Building completely remodeled

1942

Flood

1952

Third floor removed, flat roof installed

1958

Storefront rebuilt

1973

Goolrick's family sold to Gordon Worthington Company

1976

Sold to Pharmacist Charles P. Rector

Operated by the Rector Family Pharmacists (father and grandfather of Charles Rector)

1997

Sold to Pharmacist Stephen May

2019

Business leased to Pharmacist Christopher Conder

2022

Pharmacist Christopher Condor sold to Jarrell Properties Inc.

2026

Goolrick's Soda Fountain reopens to the public

Historical research by the Marker Committee of the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. Principal researcher: William J. Shorter, March 2024.