Take a nostalgic stroll down Main Street, U.S.A., and step inside a remarkable intersection of American innovation, family legacy, and Disney magic. A Spoonful of Sugar tells the fascinating story of the Upjohn Pharmacy at Disneyland—an authentic turn-of-the-century drugstore presented by The Upjohn Company, a pioneer in modern medicine. The surprising and delightful connections between Walt Disney’s vision and Dr. W.E. Upjohn’s groundbreaking invention of the friable pill. From leeches and botanical remedies to cutting-edge pharmaceutical advancements, author Stephen Hall traces the evolution of the pharmacy and its place in both Disneyland and American healthcare history. Perfect for Disney enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone fascinated by the roots of modern medicine, A Spoonful of Sugar is an elegant, engaging journey through time—where Main Street meets medical marvels.
“A Spoonful of Sugar: The Story of the Upjohn Pharmacy in Disneyland” is an enjoyable, engaging, and thoroughly researched recounting of how a personal relationship between Walt Disney and Upjohn CEO Donald Gilmore led to the popular attraction on Disneyland’s Main Street. Stephen Hall explains how the exhibit reflected a transformational period in the history of the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, and his detective work in researching and preserving the store’s antique collection more than forty years after the attraction closed adds a fascinating dimension to the story. The Upjohn Pharmacy at Disneyland delighted, as well as educated, tens of thousands of visitors and was a source of great pride to generations of Upjohn employees. Hall’s book captures a bit of that magic.
—Phil Carra, Upjohn/Pfizer Vice President, Public
Affairs and Kalamazoo Site Executive (retired)
“A Spoonful of Sugar” is a delightful blend of Disney nostalgia, medical history, and historical legacy. Stephen M. Hall masterfully uncovers one of Disneyland’s many overlooked treasures—the Upjohn Pharmacy—reminding us that even the smallest details on Main Street, U.S.A. carry big stories. A must-read for Disney aficionados, pharmacy fans, and history lovers alike.”
—David A. Bossert, author of Claude Coats: Walt
Disney’s Imagineer and The House of the Future
“The Upjohn Pharmacy in Disneyland is a fascinating piece of Upjohn history. Even now, in 2025, there are people who still fondly remember visiting it. I have enjoyed corresponding with Stephen Hall for the last ten years on Upjohn matters. I’m delighted to see that his determination and hard work have cumulated in this book.”
Jeremy Winkworth, Upjohn historian
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