Old Wilkinson's Drug Store Building Goes Up in Flames

SAN ANGELO, TX — The building that used to house the popular San Angelo landmark, Wilkinson’s Drug Store, caught fire early Monday evening. Firefighters rushed to the scene where flames were clearly visible from the roof of the now vacant building.

Wilkinson’s was a favorite hangout for kids and adults alike. The establishment, run by Tommy Wilkinson, was known for its soda fountain. It was opened in 1946, according to a 2008 article found in the newspaper archives. According to a 2018 obituary of Shirley Wilkinson, Tommy’s wife, the drug store closed in 1995.

Tonight, fire trucks rushed in from San Angelo Fire Station #1 after a 9-1-1 caller reported a fire in the building at about 7 p.m. Firefighters took around 15 minutes to get the flames out. After the fire was extinguished fire damage was visible across the front of the building, but it still stands.

The appraisal district valued the uninhabited property that burned at 1019 S. Chadbourne St. at just $6,450 for this year. But in 2017, the building was appraised at $16,990, and with the land, the total taxable value was $23,530. The property was recently sold by Benjamin Beaver at Coldwell Banker Legacy Realtors. He needs to fetch his sign that luckily survived the fire.