The Hermes building holds the distinction of being the only building on the Square that was operated under the same name for more than 100 years. Founded in 1855 and originally located on the northeast corner of the Square in a primitive log building, this drugstore moved to several locations until the present building was completed in 1907. Established by William Hermes, Sr., of Heidelberg, Germany, a graduate of the University of Heidelberg, it offered the community a wide range of services beyond drugs, including subscriptions for newspapers (from New Orleans, New York, and Galveston), school books, sundries, hardware, and groceries. In 1865, Dr. H.A. Eck became Hermes’ partner. The yellow fever epidemic of 1867 killed Hermes’ entire family and blinded Dr. Eck. Hermes left to protest the Civil War returning in 1868. The store remained in the family until 1946, when it was sold to Edgar Anders. 

The records of the Hermes Drug Store survive along with early pharmaceutical equipment at the Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives.