June 1975 Jordan Marsh Article

Hello, Retro Boston Lovers!
I came upon this great retro article from June 1975 Boston Magazine that showed just how strong the feelings were at the time when Jordan Marsh Company wanted to tear down its older buildings and make way for the bright new future with...Lafayette Place! The tone of the article is all about the down and out state of Washington Street and how cheap it had become and so the power base of the company felt it was time to shed the old and bring on the new...up, up and away! I find it sad how the group of protesters who came to try to save the old Jordan Marsh main building are made to look silly and useless by the article...a pain in the neck to the developers more or less.
The writer must have been new to Boston since he made a few mistakes....I love to catch them out!! The building being torn down in 1975 was the main Jordan Marsh store along Washington Street...not the Annex!! The Annex building was in use while the first phase of this ill-fated modernization was ongoing. So what the writer is really describing is the wonderful Victorian main building coming down...and yes, the old Bristol Building was on the way out, too in 1975. The whole area was being cleared bit by bit but the Annex was the last to go in 1977 or early 1978....not 1975. I have clear memories of this huge construction project of 1975-1976 and all the plastic sheets hung to seal off the old main building from the 1949 new building and all the wooden walls blocking your view of the large construction pit along Washington Street. And also how vital the Annex was for extra sales space during this project. I can still see the little signs placed all over the store telling us...the loyal customers...how sorry they were for the chaos, but a bright new future was on the way...mmmmmm....right!!!

Charles:-)

An Old Postcard from 1910

Hello, All!
A reader asked about this scene from 1910 and was curious about the plaque on the building located on the corner of Temple Place before Kresge's took over.
I would imagine that once that building was replaced or renovated...the sweet little plaque was no more. It was a perfect location for the plaque back in 1910 since Jordan Marsh Company was breaking retail records, building its famous annex and becoming the king of New England department stores.
Hope this helps....Charles:-)

BRA Visions of Downtown Boston Shopping In 1963: Part Two

Hello, Retro Boston Lovers!
Part two of my posting of the BRA 1963 report on the Boston shopping scene and their "ideas" for making it better. I find it funny and very sad that the words "preserve" or even "character" do not get a mention in any of the pages. You will enjoy the description of dear old Kennedy's...I think they call the building...."not attractive". Mmmm, I wonder why they worked so hard to save the outer walls about 25 years ago when the store was no more.
I also learned through my recent research that Raymond's did relocate into the former RH White building from 1967 until about 1970 ish. Not sure when they called it quits but it must have been by 1972 at the latest. I never did get a look in because of the location and my mother's fear of "that awful end of Washington Street". That location may have done Raymond's in after a few years. I have a feeling they relocated there during the Franklin Street realignment work of 1967-68 and had hopes of rebuilding in their former location but could not raise the needed funds to do it. Enter Woolworth's in the late 60's and that was that.
Enjoy part two...Charles:-)

BRA Visions of Downtown Boston Shopping In 1963: Part One

Hello, Retro Boston Lovers!
I have come upon a real gem! This BRA report from 1963 has cropped up in my research and wow...what a find! I now see the seeds that were sown that would bring about so many BIG changes to the Boston shopping experience. This was the start to the many demolitions that would begin in just a few short years.
I will post the report for your reading pleasure...horror...you can decide.
I smiled as the team referred to the confusing store layouts and masses of connected, antique buildings...Ahhh, yes!! That was the pleasure...the fun...the hunt and search through those beloved buildings for what you wanted!
The team from BRA must have enjoyed shopping in the new suburban malls that were popping up all over. All neat and tidy! No more than two floors, easy to navigate for the simple minded.
All the real retro Boston shoppers of 1963 knew their stores and knew where the items they wanted were sold and it did all make sense... in a wild and wonderful way...if you gave it half a chance!
Here is part one of the report.
Enjoy, Charles:-)

C. Crawford Hollidge Shoe Salon

Hello, Retro Boston Shoppers!
Thanks to Jamie we have a few photos of some wonderful shoes from the
C. Crawford Hollidge Shoe Salon.
They have style and glamour...I bet Joan Crawford had a pair like this in Mildred Pierce back in 1945!
Thanks again, Jamie! You look GREAT in those shoes. Boston did have style...yes, indeed!

Charles:-)

Houghton & Dutton Company of Tremont Street

Hello, My Retro Boston Fans!
Looking at Boston today it is so hard to imagine this great city back in the year
1900. So full of life and so many places to shop! Downtown Boston was full of stores and busy shoppers filled the streets.
Houghton & Dutton Company on Tremont Street had a history of bringing in the shoppers from near and far. The company began in the early 1870's and was a fixture on Tremont Street for over 50 years. It grew, had additions built and at its peak, had most of the Albion Building leased as further retail space.
A great following developed and the company was successfully led for most of its life by the beloved founder, Harry Dutton. Sadly, this Boston original fell on hard times in the 1930's....as so many department stores did. My research seems to show the store was gone by the mid-1930's and the buildings were let to various companies until 1967 when the store was demolished to begin the process of building One Beacon Street. The area was a parking lot until the groundbreaking in the early 70's.
The Beacon Hill Theater was one of the last buildings to go by 1969 as the NY Times article I included here states. I did not know much about this Boston retailing legend until now and I am so glad to bring you a few bits and pieces to recall it by.
Enjoy this look back!!

Charles:-)

Recalling Some Happier Days for Filene's

Hello, Retro Boston Lovers!!

One of my loyal readers sent me this great link:

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/05/24/last_markdown_for_filenes_basement?s_campaign=8315

I read the article and watched the video. A wonderful video filled with great memories...please check it out!!
Filene's stands now as an empty shell...and the once famous basement in near financial ruin...Again!! This makes me recall a Filene's of long ago, a Filene's that was a winner in the world of department stores!
1912 was a great year for the company and the new building was the toast of the town.
The other department stores in Boston were all busy and trying to build that "super" building that would catch the eyes of every eager shopper in the area. Gilchrist Company launched their new building that same year and Jordan Marsh Company had just built the first section of their great annex store in 1909. Filene's outdid themselves and this beautiful new building stole the show.
Here are some moments from 1911-1912, a few from the 1920's and some items from the 1950'-60's as well.
Enjoy this look back!!

Charles:-)