Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Exterior view of Kress building rear |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Collection |
S.H. Kress & Company |
Catalog Number |
1989.13.1.6754 |
Description |
Print, photographic; exterior B&W photo taken at street level; picture shows a view looking at a slight angle at the back of a store from the alley; a glazed entry door is at ground level just right of center; sign above "ENTRANCE\S. H. KRESS & CO."; barred windows are to right and left of entry; regular sash windows on floor above; narrow white painted addition at left has door at ground level and three small window on upper floor; photographic inscription at lower right "STORE- TACOMA, WASHINGTON\OWNER - S. H. KRESS & CO.\CONTRACTOR - GEORGE KIRKEBO & SONS\DATE AUGUST 17, 1958"; tiny inscription in lower right margin "Richards Studio, Tacoma"; stamps on back "Photograph By\Richards\734 Pacific Ave. MA 9111|TACOMA 2, WASH.\Reorder by No (pencilled) 116041-1"; "RECEIVED\SEP 3 58" |
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 |
Tacoma, Washington |
Additional Notes |
Genesco Store Number: 957 Address: 934 Broadway Facade Material: 1925 - Dark marble, terra cotta; 1957-58 - metal, porcelain enamel Style: Unknown Primary Building Architect: 1925 - E.J.T. Hoffman; 1957-58 - Unknown Contractors: |
Date |
8/17/1958 |
Photographer |
Unknown |
Orig/Copy |
Original |
Medium |
Photographic paper |
Object Category |
8: Communication Artifact |
Donor |
Genesco Inc. |
Notes on Related Objects |
Related Units: 61 photographs Book Description: "E.J.T. Hoffman designed this handsome three-story structure, built in 1925. At street level, it had the typical show-windows on dark marble bases and entrances more deeply recessed than usual. The upper façade was terracotta-clad with elaborate geometric motifs. During 1957-58, the store was renovated and enlarged. The original façade and addition were covered with metal panels, and a new marquee, signs, show-windows, and central entrance were installed. The store closed in 1972. The building's porcelain enamel panels have been removed, and it is to be renovated for commercial use." |
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 Kress building rear |
Search Terms |
E.J.T. Hoffman three-story marble base terracotta terra cotta clad elaborate geometric floral motif renovation enlarge addition metal panel marquee porcelain enamel commercial use Store 957 Tacoma Washington 934 Broadway S.H. Kress & Co photograph |