Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Block Survey and Details |
Object Name |
Drawing, Technical |
Collection |
S.H. Kress & Company Collection |
Description |
Black line copy on paper of block survey drawing with smaller part plan and section drawings of adjoining property at south side of Kress property. Also includes small elevation drawing of semaphore. Additional notes were made on the copy in red pencil (checked by W.H. Dikeman). Survey was completed by Engineering Service Corporation, and under the supervision of J.A. Jordan. For updated black ink on linen drawing, see 1989.13.2.23.4a. |
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 |
1989.13.2.23.4b |
Credit Line |
Courtesy of National Building Museum, gift of Genesco, Inc. |
Area / Region |
Huntington Park, California |
Building Information |
Genesco Store Number: 819 Address: 6901 Pacific Boulevard Facade Material: Steel frame, reinforced concrete Style: Unknown Drawing Number: None |
Creator |
Engineering Service Corporation |
Year |
1946 |
Donor |
Genesco Inc. |
Medium |
Black Line/Paper |
Scale |
1 in = 10 ft |
Dimension |
23" x 34 15/16" |
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 |
1946 black line copy paper survey property block plan section adjoining building elevation semaphore W.H. Dikeman Engineering Service Corporation J.A. Jordan steel framed reinforced concrete exterior vertical corner accents square panels windows pylon sign roofline ceiling high floor prewar simple finishes moldings McCrory Stores Pacific Boulevard Saturn Avenue commercial district Store 819 Huntington Park, 6901 Pacific Boulevard California S.H. Kress & Co drawing |
Address |
Additional Craftsmen: Supervisor: J.A. Jordan |