James O. May

James Oscar May (and his marvelous Marshmallow Cream!) James O. May was more than a druggist, he was an innovator in every sense of the word.  In 1870 May opened his drug store on Water St.  At the time drug stores strictly carried drugs.  Mr. May had other ideas, his store would soon carry candy and cigars, he installed the first soda fountain in the Naugatuck Valley and would even brew customers a cup of coffee if they wanted.

May was also famous for his innovative Yellow Wagon.  The wagon was fully stocked with drugs, medications, extracts, spices and other goods and made the rounds in the borough to folks who could not make it to his store.

May also bought a bottling works he named Diamond Laboratory Company.  They produced ginger ale, cough medicines, laxatives, soap and other products.  His most famous was Marshmallow Cream.  The cream was marketed to treat a wide range of ailments including anemia, malnutrition, convalescence, nervous exhaustion and consumption.  May died at the age of 54.

May’s sister, Mrs. Jennie Lind Smith, learned the pharmacy profession working in her brother’s store.  She was the first female pharmacist in the state of Connecticut.  Both May St. on the East Side of town and May Ave. on the West Side are thought to be named for James.