Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Duplicate First Floor Plan of Kress Store |
Object Name |
Drawing |
Collection |
S.H. Kress & Company Collection |
Description |
Black line copy of first floor plan of Kress store in the mall. Revisions made in 1970, which are noted on the drawing. Includes two other duplicates (1989.13.2.12.3a and 1989.13.2.12.3b). |
Context |
The S.H. Kress & Company, founded by Samuel H. Kress, opened over 300 5-10-25 cent stores in thirty states from New Jersey to Florida and across to California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. The first Kress store opened in Memphis, Tennessee in 1896. Many of the early Kress stores started out in rented spaces. By 1909, the Company began to open its stores in new structures created by S.H. Kress & Company architects like Edward F. Sibbert and Seymour Burrell, or built for it by contractors and held under lease. The Kress stores particularly thrived during the Great Depression, as they sold inexpensive products in luxurious spaces. Kress stores ranged in architectural styles, from Neoclassical to Art Deco to Modern and International. Towards the end of the S.H. Kress & Company life, shopping centers and malls overtook free-standing commercial buildings as the preferred retail locations, and new Kress stores were placed in large multistore structure. In 1964, the S.H. Kress & Company was purchased by Genesco, Incorporated, and the company was liquidated in 1980 and 1981. Some of the buildings have been demolished, while others have been renovated and adapted. The documents, plans, photographs, and objects that were gifted to the National Building Museum by numerous donors provide a rich array of information relevant to business, social, architectural, land use, race relations, and commercial history in the United States. |
Catalog Number |
1989.13.2.12.3c |
Credit Line |
Courtesy of National Building Museum, gift of Genesco, Inc. |
Area / Region |
Fort Smith, Arkansas |
Building Information |
Building Style: Modern Façade Material: Brick, plate-glass, porcelain-enamel panels Genesco Store Number: 364 Address: 5111 Rogers Avenue Drawing Number: L/O-A1 |
Creator |
S.H. Kress & Company (division of Genesco) |
Other Creators |
Drawn by A.W. |
Year |
1970 |
Donor |
Genesco Inc. |
Medium |
Black Line |
Scale |
1/8 in = 1 ft |
Dimension |
34 1/8" x 44" |
Lexicon category |
8: Communication Artifact |
Related Publications |
Wilkerson, Susan, and Hank Griffith. A Guide to the Building Records of S.H. Kress & Co. 5-10-25 Cent Stores at the National Building Museum. Edited by Joyce Eliiot. Washington, DC: National Building Museum Publication Office, 1993. |
Search Terms |
1970 black line architectural first floor copy plan shop duplicate Genesco candy stationary cards gift wrap party books toys wheel goods sporting christmas shop cosmetics health beauty aids fabrics sewing accessories yarns domestics floor coverings curtain draperies men ware boy juvenile infant girl foundations intimate apparel blouses shirts pant top sportswear sweaters swimwear women half size junior petite coat suit jacket handbag small leather neckwear millinery jewelry watches clocks optics hosiety shoes lamps furniture pictures frames gifts novelties artificial flowers kitchenware tableware houseware luggage appliance electronics pets outdoors hardware paint automotive food service concession sales brick plate-glass porcelain enamel panels Modern discount variety store Central Mall Harper and Kemp Dallas Texas shopping mall Fort Smith Arkansas interstate highway Store 364 5111 Rogers Avenue Rogers Avenue S.H. Kress & Co drawing |
Address |
Fort Smith, Arkansas |