The Gilchrist Company Department Store of Boston

Hello, My Fellow Retro Boston Lovers!
I am thrilled by the many emails I now get each month as a result of this blog.
So many folks fondly recall these wonderful stores of retro Boston and want to share their own memories with me and...you!!
Today I look back on The Gilchrist Company...Gilchrist's as we all called it.
This great competitor to Jordan Marsh and Filene's occupied the corner of Washington and Winter Streets from 1906 until it closed for good in late 1976. The name of Gilchrist was part of the Boston retail scene from the 1870's but the Gilchrist Company came into its own in 1901. The store had always been in the Winter Street area but taking the famous corner in 1906 really put it on the shopper's map.
The opening in 1912 of the new building on the corner of Washington and Winter Streets made headlines and showed the rivals on the other corners that it meant business. Jordan Marsh had just finished building part of their famous Annex and Filene's had just built a beauty of a new, modern department store...Gilchrist's had to make a splash as well. It did and it still stands today in all its 1912 glory.
One of the many features of the new building were glass plate windows on all floors that allowed natural light to be used to illuminate the vast floor space. In years to come, the upper windows in most older department stores would be blocked out using wooden wall partitions...these added some storage space for goods and hid the now grimy windows from public view...how times change!!
Most Bostonians remember Gilchrist's for their famous almond macaroons baked in the little bakery of the store located along the Winter Street side, it even had its own street door if I recall correctly. The smell of these treasures wafted round the street floor of the store and has found a home in my sensory memories forever!
If you have read my 1968 memories posted a few years back, then you know that I was treated to one macaroon on each trip "in town" until the store closed in December of 1976.
My last memory of this fine store was from the closing sale in late 1976. I was taken in and my mom and I wandered around the ground floor and looked on tables filled with goods going cheap. I think the upper floors were closed off by this time as I recall signs in front of the elevator doors saying "not in use".
It was depressing. I bought a sweater and I always thought of this sad day every time I wore it. This was the first of the big department store closings I was aware of...RH Stears would close around this time as well. Downtown Boston was changing.
My mother recalled RH White's and Raymond's closures of the past as being "bad enough" but losing Gilchrist's on this famous corner was tragic.
By 2006, they would all be gone...my mom did not live to see that...she would have been very shocked...the Boston she knew so well...history!
The Corner Mall soon took over the ground floor of the vacant building in 1977 and turned the famous Marble Spa into a food court...but it was not the same at all!
Now we are left with just sweet memories of this great store!


A wonderful new blog reader has written me several times and has really been fun to get to know. Maryellen and her Boston chums had a theme party and used photos from this blog as a way to enjoy a walk back in time to retro Boston and a day out shopping circa the 1950's. They loved recalling dressing up and going "in town" to see what was on offer in all the big stores. Lunching in Jordan Marsh, Filene's...maybe Gilchrist's Marble Spa was part of the day as well as a visit to
the counter at Neisner's 5 & 10 for a cold drink.
Maryellen also worked in one of Gilchrist's branch stores in Medford and wrote...

Gilchrist’s in Medford was on Riverside Avenue in Medford Square , now a health services center. I worked there for a few years while attending what was Boston State College, now UMassBoston and I loved it; it was a mini-department store with almost every department in the Boston store represented. They were open every night, if I remember correctly; the hours fit my school schedule. I was a “floater” and worked as a sales clerk (not called a “sales associate” in those days) in every department; the staff was like family and I enjoyed every minute I worked there. Eventually I was trusted to run the “switchboard”, yes, a real switchboard, answering with “Good Evening, Gilchrist’s, how may I help you?” in my most pleasant tone. Occasionally the store manager (I even remember his name! Mr. Archimbault - Ed Flynn was the Assistant Manager) would call in from home just to make sure all was well - one had to be on one‘s toes at that switchboard. I must have looked like Lily Tomlin with the headphones, pulling and pushing those old-fashioned toggle switches. This was in 1957 – 1960. We rang up sales on the old registers with the numbers printed on typewriter-like keys and wrote up charge slips. There was a basement in the Medford store and for some reason, Gilchrist’s basement always had shipments of the latest shoes coming in and I had first crack at these. The spike heels with the metal tips, the ones that damaged wood floors and caught in gratings, were my favorites. The price was about $3.99 a pair. I discovered I fit into the largest size in the Girls Department, where the prices were considerably lower than the Women’s Department, this allowed me to buy clothes inexpensively with my employees’ discount. In between sales we would fold, straighten, fold again; we were instructed to “look busy.” The small paycheck I received (in cash!) paid my tuition, bus fare, etc. Good memories of that store and the people I worked with.

Wow! I love it! Thanks, Maryellen! Sharing these memories of retro Boston helps to keep the past alive and also records the way it was for those who are too young to know the Boston we did when we were growing up.
Keep writing to me and I will add to this ever growing montage of Boston memories.
I treasure these memories and I am thrilled folks like Maryellen are able to share them with us so we can all enjoy a look back in time:-)

Now please enjoy this look back at dear old Gilchrist's!!!

Charles:-)

Jordan Marsh Co....Build me a bridge

Hello, Retro Boston Lovers!
I have put together a little taster of my salute to the once great, Jordan Marsh Company Annex. By the late 1890's, Jordan Marsh began to feel a bit cramped in their Main Building on the corner of Avon and Washington Streets and the need to expand over to the other side of Avon Street became a serious need. The great Annex Building of Jordan Marsh has its roots here at this critical stage. From this point in 1898 until the early 1960's, the great Annex of Jordan Marsh grew to consume the entire block from Avon to Bedford Streets. In the years before 1920, three new buildings would be built by the Jordan Marsh Company and, in the years to follow, other smaller buildings would be acquired in this large city block. The great Annex Building(s) was the pride of the company for many years and Jordan Marsh made this block feel like one large building even though it was created by using at least seven as of the early 1960's!
The Annex was built mainly to serve as the home furnishing division of this New England giant...but more on the Annex history in a future update!
Today I share with you Jordan Marsh's need to build a bridge, a bridge over Avon Street to connect the Main Store to the ever growing Annex on the other side.
By 1898 a tunnel was built under Avon Street to connect the two but in 1914 Jordan Marsh wanted a sky bridge like the famous one in New York City built by John Wanamaker. Jordan Marsh wanted the public to cross over on any upper floors from one side of Avon Street to the other without having to go down to the basement tunnel...or truly cross the narrow street outdoors.
The Hovey Company, a rival of Jordan Marsh also on Avon Street, was not thrilled with the idea of this sky bridge blocking light and air.
The petition was approved and the project was ready to begin but...I can find no mention of the sky bridge again and the project must have gone on hold.
Why? I am not sure. I believe the sky bridge over Avon Street was built in two stages. The first was done around 1939 and connected the old Main Store to the Annex from floors three to six. This section was attached to the very edge of the old Main Store but could be detached and stand on its own if and when the old building might be replaced in the future. Very innovative for 1939 construction planning!!!
The second was done in the mid-50's as part of Unit 3 of the new building project started in 1949. This new section was attached to the older sky bridge and added more floors upward, greater width and was attached to the newer building section called Unit 3.
The one photo(Bostonian Society) I have found (so far in my searching for treasures) of the sky bridge is from 1975 and shows the sky bridge over Avon Street in the lower right corner over the ongoing demolition of the old Main Building. The sky bridge was more like a solid building and had rows of very small windows on the upper floors... also note the digital clock(2:17pm) and company name on the top.
The older section below(floors three to five) dating from 1939 had more glass windows and looked more inviting.
I recall the bridge being in use until the 1977 new building on Washington Street opened and the Annex was no longer needed by the store...1978 marked the end and it was demolished...thus the sky bridge was gone forever.

More later on the late, great Annex!!

Charles:-)

1977 Photo of Downtown Boston

Hello, Retro Boston Lovers!
Nick DeWolf's photos of years gone by have served me well for some wonderful updates.
I am so happy I am able to share them with you on my blog thanks to his kind family.
This 1977 photo shot while taking off from Logan is perfect!
I have always needed help in confirming dates of various building changes in downtown Boston and this photo sheds some light on my quest.
I can see the Jordan Marsh Annex Building still standing in the lower corner but I can also see that all RH White's buildings and the Bristol Building of Jordan Marsh have been torn down by this 1977 shot. All replaced with a temporary paved parking area until work on Lafayette Place would begin in full again in 1978 when the Annex of Jordan Marsh would close for good and be torn down.
Now that I see this shot I can recall this phase of Jordan Marsh and think it was just before the new building(1975-1977) along Washington Street opened and the Annex was still very much a big part of the retail space required.
Enjoy this photo....and thanks again to Nick's family for this chance to explore Boston back in the year 1977!!

Charles:-)

Christmas Stocking Full of Boston Shopping Memories

Hello, Retro Boston Lovers!!
Happy Holidays to one and all!!
I love to look at old Boston snapshots...really look at them.
You can find some great treasures hidden in the most surprising places!
Let's explore these photos I have presented today.
The Boston Bruins had a great 1969- 70 season and in May 1970 had this victory parade through downtown Boston along Washington Street with many eager fans snapping photos of Bobby Orr and his fellow team members. The photo also reveals a Boston Shopping Treasure....Raymond's in its final location, using the old RH White's store next to Jordan Marsh's Annex Buildings. I had found some vintage Yellow Pages proof of this final location of Raymond's but this was photo proof....yes!!!!! Thank you, Bobby Orr! I have a feeling dear Raymond's was not long for the retail world by 1970 and soon would close its doors for good, at least by 1972.




Now look at the 1951 Christmas photo of the gang looking at the train set.
This great shot was taken in a " Big Boston Department Store"....but the name is not on the photo....Mmmmmmm? I would venture a guess that it was snapped at Jordan Marsh's Annex on the great old fifth floor. Any ideas???? Write me....love to hear your thoughts on the location. The other place could be Gilchrist's on the sixth floor...Not sure...Help!!!!
Another little treasure in the group is the Humphrey shot from 1968.
I love the view down Summer Street between Filene's and Jordan Marsh.
Note the great old Jordan Marsh building that was part of the old Main Store and the wonderful ornate entrance...there was another like it on the Washington Street side. By 1975 these buildings that formed the old Main Store of Jordan Marsh would be demolished to make room for a very functional replacement....blahhh!!
Ahhh...great shot from 1968!!!
Jordan Marsh for many years used the flat roof over the sidewalk along the Summer Street windows of the "New 1949- 50" building to host large Xmas displays like the Nativity as seen here from the late 1950's.
Wow!!!
Enjoy all these little snaps and thanks for a wonderful two years on Blogger!!!
Keep visiting and writing.....More soon!!!
Charles:-)

Thanksgiving Treats from Boston's Retro Days

Hello, Retro Boston Lovers!
I present a selection of Thanksgiving offers from the big Boston department stores like R.H. White's, Filene's, Jordan Marsh Company and some of the larger clothing shops of Boston such as Chandler's and Slattery's.
The days before and after Thanksgiving have always been big shopping days and this holiday always marked the start of the Christmas shopping mad dash.
The day after Thanksgiving even in the 1920's was a big mark down day and a preview of the choice goods on offer for eager Xmas shoppers...encouraged to shop early for best selections...of course!!
It's all here...china sets to fur coats! Come and see!!

Happy Thanksgiving from the 1920's and 1943!

Enjoy....Charles:-)

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:-)