Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Construction |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Collection |
S.H. Kress & Company |
Catalog Number |
1989.13.1.1781 |
Description |
Print, Photographic; B&W, interior photo taken at ground level; the picture shows a view looking obliquely down the length of the building under construction; the very high wall at right is completely covered by a network of rebars backed by forms; metal trusses span the very deep steel ceiling beams overhead; steelwork for a balcony is visible at near right with stair to next level; photographically imprinted notation on bottom right "Store - Santa Monica, Calif.\Owner S. H. Kress & Co.\Contractor - Lindgren & Swinerton\Date - illegible"; logo on lower left "VICTOR BARNABA"; stamp on back "RE-ORDER # (inked) 2605-2\PLEASE CREDIT\PHOTO BY\VICTOR BARNABA\COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY\409 Santa Monica Blvd.\Santa Monica, Calif.\Day & Night Phone 4 2206"; numerous sign-off initials |
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. |
Credit Line |
Courtesy of National Building Museum, gift of Genesco, Inc. |
Place |
Santa Monica, California |
Additional Notes |
Genesco Store Number: 883 Address: 1231 Third Street Facade Material: Reinforced concrete, steel Style: Unknown Primary Building Architect: Unknown Contractors: Lindgren & Swinerton |
Date |
April 17,1950 |
Photographer |
Victor Barnaba |
Studio |
Victor Barnaba |
Orig/Copy |
Original Print |
Medium |
Photographic paper |
Object Category |
8: Communication Artifact |
Donor |
Genesco Inc. |
Notes on Related Objects |
Related Units: 53 photographs Book Description: "Kress opened a store on Third Street in Santa Monica in 1924. This new building, constructed one block away in 1950, had a steel skeleton and reinforced concrete walls. It was very similar to the Huntington Park building, with identical sign pylon and decorations over the windows. The store, which converted to self-service in 1957, closed in 1965." |
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. |
Caption |
Black and white photograph of construction |
Search Terms |
steel skeleton reinforced concrete sign pylon decoration self-service Store 883 Santa Monica California 1231 Third Street S.H. Kress & Co photograph |