Doc Williams Office and Home - 1920s

Doc Williams was a popular and colorful character who always liked dressing well and driving his Packard. He came to Sandy in 1906 and worked in logging as a whistle punk for a short time. He then worked at a pharmacy in Portland and returned to Sandy to be a pharmacist. However, he had his mind set to be a doctor and he tried, but failed on numerous occasions, to pass the medical exam. This was most likely because he never attended medical school.

Doc Williams ran his practice from this cedar log building until the late 1930s. The building is still in use today and is occupied by Prestige Printing

The Medical Board finally relented and granted him a license. In spite of his lackluster beginning he was very successful treating patients during the flu epidemic after World War I with his “secret formula” pink, white and black pills. It was later discovered that the pink and white pills were aspirin and the black pill was a cathartic. He had a great bedside manner so people had faith in him which most likely had a great deal to do with his success. It’s said that Doc, a bachelor, had a knack for making house calls at dinner time.