The large two-story brick and cement faced residence at 400 N. 9th St.
has been known as the Gillman home since it was built in 1915 by George
W. Gillman, a prominent pharmacist and businessman of Fort Dodge.
Gillman lived there until his death in 1959. The house is now owned by
William J. Thatcher. Two apartments in the home are currently rented
out.
Henry Kehm & Sons—well-known brick masons and home builders here for
many years—constructed the house for Gillman. Originally it had living
room, solarium, music room, dining room and kitchen on the first floor;
four bedrooms, bathrooms and sleeping porch on the second floor. A large
attic provided storage space.
Gillman started his drug store here in 1904 at the southwest corner of
First Avenue South and Seventh Street in a new building erected by Colby
Brothers, who operated a livery barn here in the earlier days. The store
was in operation at this location until the spring of 1974 when it
closed its doors after 70 years of continuous operation. Roy W. Gillman,
son of the store’s founder, was associated with the firm for 56 years
and the owner until the store closed.
The senior Gillman, who was 79 at time of his death, was born in Nowlin,
S. D., and came with his family to Badger at an early age. As a boy he
worked in the Campbell & Tower drug store here and later graduated in
pharmacy from Highland Park University in Des Moines. After working with
Campbell & Tower as a registered pharmacist he opened his own store.
[Illustration: The George Gillman home
400 N. Ninth Street]
Gillman was active in pharmacy circles and was a member of the State
Board of Pharmacy for 18 years, serving as its chairman several times.
Gillman was also interested in the theater and was president of the
Princess Theater Company which built and operated the Princess here for
many years. During his years as manager, the theater offered some of the
finest vaudeville available and also booked in outstanding shows with
celebrated performers. The theater finally closed its doors and in 1939
the building was sold to the First National Bank. It is now the home of
the bank at 18 N. 9th St.