Sixty-five years ago, this prescription, prescribed by Dr. Ambrust, was filled by Lake Drug. The bottle was donated to the Lake Jackson Historical Museum shortly after the patient's death in 2014.

There are a couple of distinctions you may notice from the photo that differentiate this bottle from prescription bottles we receive at the pharmacy today. First, the bottle is clear because it is made of glass. It wasn't until after WWII that plastics became more readily available for use in everyday products. Prescription bottles slowly transitioned from glass to plastic in the 1950s, so this bottle is a nice example of the way prescription drugs were distributed before that transition was completed.

Second, the bottle cap is more like a bottle cork rather than a screw on or push on cap. Childproof caps had not been invented yet. In Ontario, Canada, during the 1960s, Dr. Henri J. Breault had become exasperated with the alarming number of cases at which children inadvertently ingested adult medications, resulting in the loss of at least 100 children each year. After several attempts, Breault invented and patented a device he dubbed “The Palm N’ Turn,” the first childproof cap. The rate of local child poisonings dropped by 91 percent.

The instructions on the label read: “Take one tablet dissolved under tongue as needed for chest pain,” but the name of the medication is not indicated on the bottle. The pills are small, white, and unmarked. Are they most likely nitroglycerin pills?

“What is that delicious aroma wafting above Parking Way?” local residents would ask. If you were meandering in downtown Lake Jackson in the early morning hours of the 1990s, you might be asking the same question. At 8:00 a.m. on those days, Diana Cobb Cole began loading her ovens inside Kay’s Kitchen with cookie dough. After about 13 minutes, out would pop her famous “creamies,” those pink, round cookies topped with almond glaze. Remember? YUM!!!

On a typical day (excluding orders), Diana baked 16 batches, each containing two dozen cookies. By closing time (2:30 p.m.), the trays were usually bare. Diana recalls the largest order which she filled. One Christmas, the CEO of InterMedics, a pacemaker manufacturer located in Angleton, ordered 11,000 creamies. He requested that they be placed in groups of six in white boxes tied with red ribbons so they could be given to each of the company’s employees. In preparation, Diana spent a week making the dough. In order to complete the task, she had to close her establishment for two days while she baked.

In the beginning, Diana baked “creamies” in her home. She had converted her large game room into a second kitchen. When city officials got wind of the arrangement, they notified her that two home kitchens violated a city ordinance. Undaunted, Diana decided to open a tea room, known as Kay’s Kitchen, which was initially located beside Frank Mauro’s law office on Parking Way.

Why the name “Kay’s Kitchen?” Diana named her establishment after her younger daughter Karen, whom she affectionately called, “Kay Kay.” The tearoom opened daily from 10:30-2:30 and consisted of a full bakery, coffee shop, gift shop, and luncheon menu: fancy sandwiches, quiches, salads, and casseroles.

Kay’s Kitchen eventually moved from Parking Way to 106 This Way, where the Wayside Pub stands today. The business was a family endeavor. Diana’s father Billy Moore, who played on the original Gators baseball team, was the grocery buyer and deliveryman. According to Diana, he knew every guard at Dow! Diana’s mother acted as the receptionist and bookkeeper. Her older daughter, Laura, was in charge of public relations. And, of course, Karen was the chief baker and decorator.

In 1992, “creamies” sold for $.50 apiece. In 2002, you could buy one for $.75 cents. In that year, however, Diana decided to close Kay’s Kitchen after ten years of success. “I closed with a satisfied heart,” she said. And her customers? Well, they savor a delicious memory!!!

This marker, which commemorates the 20^th anniversary of Lake Jackson’s founding and was erected in honor of A.P. Beutel and Alden B. Dow, has been returned for public viewing. Previously located in the esplanade separating South and North Parking Place, it now rests on the green in front of the Alden B. Dow Office Museum. Pictured are Gaye Shockley, garage foreman for the city of Lake Jackson, and her crew. They were responsible for the restoration and placement of the marker in its new home. The LJHA thanks you!!

Shakespeare Pop-up Exhibit

On the Same Track: Enchanted by Model Trains Pop-up Exhibit

Go to Smile.Amazon.com, search for Lake Jackson Historical Association, and select us as your favorite. Then start shopping! Amazon will donate .5% of your purchase to our organization. Thank you!

Whew, it's hot out there! I moved to Texas when I was just 19 years old, so I've gotten used to the heat and humidity over the years. In fact, I'm one of "those people" who loves humidity. The more the better! But I'd definitely be okay with taking a few degrees off the thermometer.

Thankfully, it's nice and cool inside the museum! If you haven't seen our Shakespeare exhibit yet, it will be up for just 2 more weeks. Bring the kids, grandkids, or neighbor's kids to make their own Shakespeare-inspired masks. And learn more about the wonderful Shakespeare-inspired events here in Lake Jackson, like the Madrigal Feast and Shakespeare in the Glen.

We are busy working on an amazing schedule of events for this fall, and we can't wait to share more with you! Watch your email and our social media for more details.

Happy summer, everyone! Stay cool!

director@ljhistory.org