Gate City Drug Store was established during 1907 in Claude, Texas, by Dr. and Mrs. William A. Warner.  Claude was considered the gateway to the caprock and the Palo Duro Canyon, and the store was therefore named.  It was in a frame building located on the northeast corner of Trice and Highway 287, where Claude Pharmacy now stands.  Dr. Warner had his office in the back of the store.  When the door was opened, a stringed instrument played a joyful tune and told the doctor a customer had entered.  The store carried a complete stock of drugs, school books, stationery, Kodaks and Kodak supplies.  These, as well as professional services, he dispensed to the public, mostly on credit.

     Dr. and Mrs. Warner had always dreamed of owning a modern drug store.  In 1897, prior to their marriage, Phebe Kerrick documented these dreams in her diary.  "I don't know a thing about drugs," she wrote, "but my idea is to let the drug store build up itself.  I want Will to have all the room he needs and wants.  Drugs on one side, patent medicines on the other.  Give the corners and floors and middle of the room up to little things, such as a case for toilet articles, one for fancy work, one for stationery, one for books, one for china, one for various things in jewelry line--these can not all go in at once, but I believe they might grow.  Then cleanliness and tact in making things look pretty and a careful study of the nature, tastes, and wants of the people around us.  To have for sale what the people want and not try to force people to buy what you want to sell is the key to a merchant's success.  In time a Soda Fountain would be nice--plus fruit and candy and cream for summer.  But I hope Will will never allow a box of cigars or a plug of tobaco to come into his store.  Oh Claude!  Can you justify these ideas?  I see so many tables and fixtures for the center of rooms that would not cost much.  I believe in a few years a good store could be developed.  And I'm so anxious to see it grow--I love a business life.  I love a drug store.  Wish I had a diploma.  But when I'm in a home of my own I'll have little time for diplomas...Now, I'll keep on picking up notions."

     This dream became a reality when the frame structure was moved intact to a vacant lot on the west side of North Trice Street, and the Warner Building was erected.  The turn of the century, vernacular commerical building was built in 1909 by the partnership firm of Heckman & Hartley at a cost of approximately $22,000.  It was influenced by several styles of architecture.  The panelled brick cornice and semi-circular parapets were a carry-over from the High Victorian Italianate style.  The triangular panes in the ground floor transom windows and the round knobs atop the building indicated Classical influence.  The broad second floor windows with diamond-pane transoms were typical of the Edwardian period.

     On the first floor was the Gate City Drug Store, complete with Claude's first soda fountain.  Dr. Warner's offices, and the county rest rooms.  The rest room was installed with the thought of making life more comfortable for ladies who came to town to shop.

     Behind the drug store, facing west to Trice Street, was Earl Blanton's Imperial Barber Shop.  It was a room 15 X 22 feet which he rented for $22.50 a month which included light and water.  He had three new chairs along with a three-chair combination oak, marble and glass case.  There was a shine chair, two bath tubs, and a pedestrial lavatory.  Shaves were 15 cents, and cuts were 35 cents.

     The Claude News had been in production since January 1, 1890.  With completion of the Warner Building, Colonel James Henry Hamner moved his newspaper and printing plant into the office behind the Imperial Barber Shop.

     On the second floor was Claude's first public reading room.  It was equipped by the Warners and had comfortable chairs, tables and writing material as well as the latest magazines and newspapers.  This library was seldom empty.  At night this room was used as a lodge hall.  Offices for rent were also on the second floor.  County court was held at this location during the restoration of the Armstrong County Courthouse.

     Claude had no lighting system, therefore a light plant and a furnace to heat water for the radiators was built in the basement.  Water was pumped by a windmill, and piped from the Warner's home.  Dr. Warner later added a gasoline motor to pump the water.

     On February 2, 1910, the opening day of the new Warner Building, Armstrong County's first baby show was held.  The show was sponsored by Dr. Warner in honor of pioneer mothers and their babies.  A typical dust storm raged all day.  Although there were few automobiles, mothers brought their children from every corner of the county--some traveling fifteen miles.  Forty-one babies were weighed and measured that day.

     In 1912, Dr. Warner organized Troop 17, one of the first Boy Scout Troops west of the Mississippi.  The boys met in the Warner Building in back of the doctor's office.  It was there that he taught young men of Armstrong County about anatomy, and the wonders of nature including rocks, plants and seeds.

     On Wednesday morning, March 3, 1915, a fire was discovered in an area above the basement of the Warner Building by Mr. Bates Walker, who was on his way to work at the depot.  There was fog and several inches of snow on the ground at that time.  Within a few minutes, parties having telephones were called and came to assist with fighting the flames.  The fire department consisted of a two-wheel chemical and men lined up as a bucket brigade.  Buckets of snow and water were passed down the line and up the ladder.  Once or twice it was thought that the fire was under control.  It went up the stairway to the upper story, and firefighters were forced to withdraw due to the intense heat and danger of falling timber.

     Only a small portion of the drug stock and fixtures was saved, the barber shop's loss was light as was also The News.  The reading room was lost.  To many, this loss would have meant defeat, but the Warners reopened Gate City Drug in a building on the southwest corner of Trice and Second Street.  It was later moved to a building south of the theater on North Trice Street and remained in operation until September 1, 1917.  On that day, Dr. Warner, at age fifty-three, enlisted in World War I to serve his country.