TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
Established 1872 Celebrating 152 Years
Established 1882 Celebrating 142 Years
Although Pharma Nobis, LLC is a new entity (formed in 2022), its roots go back to 1872, as Hutchison Medicine Company, founded by J. C. (John) Hutchison in Linden, Texas. Hutchison traveled through East Texas in a covered wagon selling Big Head Liniment, oils and salves that were remedies for “helping people feel better.” While working in the drug business in Queen City, J.C. developed a healing preparation known as Hutchison’s Magic Oil. The demand for Magic Oil grew so quickly that Mr. Hutchison gave up his drug business and focused his business on manufacturing and selling it. In 1908, Hutchison Medicine Company moved from Queen City to Texarkana, Texas, where it was run by John and his two sons, Raymond and Edwin. In 1947, following the death of John Hutchison, the company was sold to Pearson Walsh, a local wholesale druggist, and to Otto Witzansky, a local retail druggist. This was a major change, identifying Hutchison Medicine Company as a manufacturer and distributor of first-aid products, maintaining the goal to “help people feel better.” Products were initially distributed to major drug wholesalers throughout the United States. Five years later, Walsh became the sole owner and renamed the company Humco. In 2018, Humco was acquired by Fagron, Inc., a company focused on specialty pharma services. In 2022, Pharma Nobis was created to purchase the Texarkana facility and all its products and services. Today, Pharma Nobis manufactures well over 150 products, including pharmaceutical topical and transdermal creams, syrups, oral suspension vehicles, and additional pharmaceutical compounding agents. The company continuously strives to create new value-added products that will help meet unmet patient and pharmacist needs around the world.
In 1882, with business savvy and handsome handwriting, Fred Offenhauser and partner Kelsey founded an insurance agency in the heart of downtown Texarkana to become Offenhauser & Co. Offenhauser likely insured the first automobile in Texarkana and later pioneered a risk management pool for utilities throughout the central United States. Beyond offering exceptional insurance for homes, automobiles, and businesses, Offenhauser had vital roles in the community’s development. The agency was instrumental in founding the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce (1905), contributing to the establishment of Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant (1939), launching Wadley Hospital (1958), initiating the first K-16 STEM programs in the United States, and supporting the development of the new university campus for Texas A&M University-Texarkana (2006). The commitment of Offenhauser’s leadership is further evidenced by eight partners receiving the C.E. Palmer Award for lifetime civic contributions. While the firm has expanded, with offices in five cities and e-mail, websites, and social media replacing Mr. Offenhauser’s handwriting, their focus remains on Texarkana, your family, and business.
Established 1882 Celebrating 142 Years
The original business was incorporated in 1882 as the Hunter Transfer & Storage Co. in a warehouse near Union Station. Beginning as a humble railroad storage business their services grew to include cross dock facilities in addition to expanding into trucking and moving services. Under the leadership of the Trigg Family, they continued to expand and built a massive 30,000 square foot multilevel warehouse in 1926 at the corner of Broad and Elm Streets. Legend has it that some of Texarkana’s first Model T Fords were stored on the third floor. In 2000, the company was purchased by the Sandefur Family and renamed Grand Storage Solutions when it transitioned yet again to offer solutions to businesses needing to retain records for seven years. Today, they focus on all services associated with storage and certified destruction of office documents. The company now delivers old fashioned service in a modern world.
Established 1875 Celebrating 149 Years
Originally named the Texarkana Daily News , the Texarkana Gazette emerged from a merger with a fellow newspaper. It was acquired by C.E. Palmer following a stay over in Texarkana during Palmer’s honeymoon in the early 20th century. This marked the beginning of its enduring legacy. Owned by Palmer’s descendants across multiple generations, the publication has sustained a longstanding tradition in journalism.
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COMMUNITY & CULTURE
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