Show Us Your Vintage Hat Store

[BobHufford]

While we are in Fort Worth. Circa 1960 Stetson Gun Club from Stripling's.

Wesley Capers Stripling was born in Carroll County, Georgia in 1859. His father William was a farmer.

During the Civil War in 1862 father William was killed at the Battle of Crampton’s Gap in Maryland, and young Wesley soon after went to work helping a farmer. But when Stripling was eighteen he moved from behind a plow to behind a counter: He and a cousin opened a general store. Stripling moved to Texas in 1884, operating a dry goods store first in Alvord, then Sunset, then Bowie. In 1893 he opened a “branch” store on Houston Street in Fort Worth, historian Oliver Knight wrote, after meeting William Monnig when both merchants were on a buying trip in Baltimore. In 1899 Stripling moved his family from Bowie to Fort Worth. Although Stripling had moved his family to Fort Worth, he continued to operate his store in Bowie. -- https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=14435

The store on Houston Street around 1890:

A move to the First and Main location was in the 1890s.

A new store was built within the same block at First and Houston in 1909. Additions were done in 1915.

1920: Prior to taking over the Allens' store.

Further purchases and additions give them the full city block.

1920s:

W.C. Stripling died in 1934.

1937:

1940s: With a unifying exterior facade.

1957:

The iconic department store was demolished in 1979 to build the Worthington Hotel.

 

[Mighty44]

Another amazing installment—thanks, Bob!

 

[Blare]

While we are in Fort Worth. Circa 1960 Stetson Gun Club from Stripling's.

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Wesley Capers Stripling was born in Carroll County, Georgia in 1859. His father William was a farmer.

During the Civil War in 1862 father William was killed at the Battle of Crampton’s Gap in Maryland, and young Wesley soon after went to work helping a farmer. But when Stripling was eighteen he moved from behind a plow to behind a counter: He and a cousin opened a general store. Stripling moved to Texas in 1884, operating a dry goods store first in Alvord, then Sunset, then Bowie. In 1893 he opened a “branch” store on Houston Street in Fort Worth, historian Oliver Knight wrote, after meeting William Monnig when both merchants were on a buying trip in Baltimore. In 1899 Stripling moved his family from Bowie to Fort Worth. Although Stripling had moved his family to Fort Worth, he continued to operate his store in Bowie. -- https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=14435

The store on Houston Street around 1890:

View attachment 510355

A move to the First and Main location was in the 1890s.

View attachment 510359


A new store was built within the same block at First and Houston in 1909. Additions were done in 1915.

1920: Prior to taking over the Allens' store.

View attachment 510353

Further purchases and additions give them the full city block.

1920s:

View attachment 510356

W.C. Stripling died in 1934.

1937:

View attachment 510358

1940s: With a unifying exterior facade.

View attachment 510379

1957:

View attachment 510357

The iconic department store was demolished in 1979 to build the Worthington Hotel.

View attachment 510354

I really enjoy this series, Bob. Great work as always

 

[BobHufford]

Another amazing installment—thanks, Bob!

I really enjoy this series, Bob. Great work as always

Thanks fellas! I really enjoy researching these.

 

[BobHufford]

Luxtone Genuine Panama from Hugh J. Lowe, 109 W. Fourth Street in Santa Ana, California.

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1933 earthquake: On the left.

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They had to replace the facade. The store is just behind the scaffold.

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Circa 1948: Between Woolworths and Rankin's. Now with "& Sons" appended.

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1950s: On the right.

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1958:

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The 1910 cash register in the widow: Certainly not the 1910 prices.

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The location today:

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An 1920s (or older) Panama from the store that preceded Hugh J. Lowe's -- W. A. Huff Co. -- in Santa Ana, California.

Not sure when W. A. Huff (1867 - 1928) started his store, but a photo from the Hugh J. Lowe post implies that it was in 1888 and he was the first independent clothier in Santa Ana.

Huff was located at 109 W. Fourth (the same location for Lowe when he took over after Mr. Huff's death in 1928).

1912:

1918:

Mr. Huff was a busy man in 1927:

Also from 1927:

January 1929 (thanks @DaveProc for the ad image):

 

[BobHufford]

Circa 1935 Dobbs Balstraw from Spoo & Son in Madison, Wisconsin.

This hat may be from the first year of the Spoo & Son store in Madison as prior to some point in 1935 it was Anderes & Spoo, then Spoo & Stephan. In other thread I have shown the only ad I could find for Dobbs Belstraw that was dated 1935. The Spoo family was involved in the retail clothing trade in Madison going back to at least 1859 (F. Klein & B. Spoo).

1928: Entrance and interior of Anderes & Spoo at 18 N. Carroll St.

1934: 18 N. Carroll St.

1935: Still Spoo & Stephan.

1956:

1973:

From the Osh Kosh location:

18 N. Carroll in recent times.

 

[Mighty44]

Circa 1935 Dobbs Balstraw from Spoo & Son in Madison, Wisconsin.

View attachment 511812

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This hat may be from the first year of the Spoo & Son store in Madison as prior to some point in 1935 it was Anderes & Spoo, then Spoo & Stephan. In other thread I have shown the only ad I could find for Dobbs Belstraw that was dated 1935. The Spoo family was involved in the retail clothing trade in Madison going back to at least 1859 (F. Klein & B. Spoo).

1928: Entrance and interior of Anderes & Spoo at 18 N. Carroll St.

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1934: 18 N. Carroll St.

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1935: Still Spoo & Stephan.

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1956:

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1973:

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From the Osh Kosh location:

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18 N. Carroll in recent times.

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Terrific sleuthing, yet again!

 

[BobHufford]

Not mine, but I was curious. Hat box from "Calhoun the Hatter" with locations across Canada.

1927: Hamilton, Ontario. See the partial sign on the right.

Renovations of the Windsor, Ontario location (323 Oulette in the Paramount Building) in 2019 discovered the original sign under several layers of other signage / remodeling.

A 1927 architect's rendering of the Paramount Building. Calhoun's was the second store from the right.

They were in this location until 1974.

1916: Winnipeg, Manitoba.

1918: Winnipeg. All the knock-off hats (Statson, Borsalion, etc. -- or these are typos or brands I'm not aware of).

1954 (237 Portage Ave.) in the Curry Building, two doors to the left of the center arch.

1930: Toronto.

1950s: Vancouver, BC.

 

[BobHufford]

Early 1950s Stetson Whippet from Bishop's / Salem Woolen Mills Store in Salem, Oregon.

"Now is the time and here is the place for the Men and Boys to fit themselves out for the season.”

Salem in the early 1890s was a thriving community with high hopes for the future and enterprising men to make it a reality. On May 1, 1891 one such young man, Charles P. Bishop took over the Salem Woolen Mill store at 299 Commercial St. The energetic, ambitious son-in-law of Thomas Kay was already a founding director of the Kay Woolen Mills with a background in merchandising including previous work experience and ownership of stores in Brownsville, Crawfordsville, and McMinnville. When the opportunity presented itself to purchase the Salem Woolen Mill store from his father-in-law he did so, for $20,000.


C.P. Bishop family

Charles Pleasant Bishop was born September 23, 1854, in Contra Costa, California to the Reverend William and Elizabeth Jane Adams Bishop. By the age of 20 he was clerking in the store of Kirk & Hume in Brownsville, Oregon. Two years later he changed employment, accepting a position as clerk and salesman at the Brownsville Woolen Mills store. In 1874 Charles attended a July 4th celebration with Fannie Kay, the daughter of Thomas Kay, manager of the Brownsville Woolen Mill. He later recalled, “After going to the Fourth of July celebration I could no longer say I didn’t have a girl, for Fannie and I began keeping company.” They were married on October 8, 1876. It was the perfect marriage of textile manufacturing (Fannie) and merchandising (Charles). Fannie had grown up assisting her father at the mill and knew the business inside and out. In rather quick succession, three sons were born to the couple; Clarence M. Bishop in 1878, Royal Thomas Bishop in 1881, and Robert Chauncey Bishop in 1882.

The original Salem Woolen Mill Store purchased by Charles, or C.P. as he preferred to be called, was located at 299 Commercial St., between Court and State streets. It was a two-story structure measuring about 30 by 40 feet with a floor space of 22 by 60 feet. The store employed two clerks, H.S. Belle and William Woodsworth. The first few years were difficult following the Panic of 1893, but the economy improved following the turn of the century. In November 1896 the first worsted cloth manufactured west of the Mississippi River came off the looms of the Kay Mill. A forty-yard bolt was placed on display and for sale in the Salem Woolen Mills store. Owner C.P. Bishop immediately cut off three and one-half yards of the blue serge and took it upstairs to the tailor shop to be measured for a suit. The rest was advertised as $25 a suit. In 1899, C.P. was elected mayor of Salem and would continue to serve until 1906, successfully juggling political office, the running of the Salem store including several expansions and a move in 1902 to larger quarters at 136-138 Commercial St. where the parking lot north of Spaghetti Warehouse restaurant is now located.

In the spring of April 1900, events began to take place that would shape the family business and future, beginning with the death of Fannie’s father, woolen mill owner Thomas Lister Kay. Despite the years Fannie had spent at her father’s side running the mill, her brother Thomas B. Kay was chosen and elected president and general manager. Shortly thereafter C. P. resigned as a director in the business, though he and Fannie continued to hold stock in the mill. The Bishop’s store continued to stock the products of the Kay mill, especially blankets which were always sold under the mill’s label. In addition to the Salem store, C.P. also owned the Salem Woolen Mills Store at 85 Third Street in Portland where C.T. Roberts, Bishop’s brother-in-law, was manager. Here, as in the capital city, the Kay fabrics and blankets were stocked and tailoring departments were maintained.

In 1908, the Bishop family took a huge leap of faith and purchased the defunct Pendleton Woolen Mill in Eastern Oregon. A business opportunity for enterprising young sons, a guaranteed future supply of woolen goods for their rapidly growing retail outlets, and the chance to build a family legacy. Two sons, Clarence and Roy, were sent to oversee the project. Chauncey, the third son remained to help his father run the Salem store. The 1920-1930s were an era of growth for the family business despite the Great Depression. The Salem store grew to employ 18 full-time employees. The store moved again, this time to the Eckerlen Building at 145 Liberty St. At 8,000 square feet with two floors, this was nearly ten times the size of the original store. The name was changed to Bishop Clothing and Woolen Mill Store and the business, originally operated as a sole proprietorship, was incorporated in 1924 and sold to the Bishop sons and R.H. Cooley, longtime employee and manager.

For many decades Bishop Clothing was recognized as one of the West’s finest stores for men as C.P. Bishop continued to pour his energy and ambition into the business and established policies that guided its management. He saw it through difficult years and onto a firm footing that would last into the early 1980s when the store was closed.

This article was written by Kaylyn F. Mabey for the Statesman Journal where it was printed 28 Sep 2014.

1904: On Commercial Street.

1909:

1939: On Liberty Street. Just past Montgomery Ward.

1950s: On the left.

1960s:

1967:

The Liberty Street location in modern times.

 

[BobHufford]

1950s (?) Supernatural Tulcan Panama from Robinson's Men's Store in Los Angeles, California.

Joseph Winchester Robinson was a merchant from Waltham, Massachusetts who moved to Riverside, California in 1882 to develop orange groves. Robinson found the quality of goods and service from local merchants lacking, and reentered the retail business, utilizing his contacts on the East Coast to deliver superior merchandise.

Robinson opened the 1,440 sq ft Boston Dry Goods Store in 1883 at the Allen Block at the southwest corner of Spring and Temple Street stating that his store offered "fine stocks and refined 'Boston' service." In 1891, J. W. Robinson died at the age of 45 and his son, Henry Winchester Robinson, came from Boston to Los Angeles to take over the business, and the "Boston Dry Goods Store" was renamed the "J. W. Robinson Company" in honor of its late founder.

In 1887, J.W. Robinson Co.'s Boston Dry Goods Store moved to a new store of around 3,000 sq ft in the Jones Block at 171–173 (post-1890 numbering) Spring Street, considered an adventurous move because at that time, the location was far from the central business district of that period. -- Wikipedia

1887: Jones Block

In January 1895 the J. W. Robinson Co., which by that time advertised simply as "The Boston Store", announced that after only eight years at Spring Street, more spacious quarters were necessary, and that a new four-story "Boston Dry Goods Store Building" was under construction at 239 S. Broadway opposite the then City Hall. On October 1, 1895, Robinson's opened the new store. The new building was promoted at the time as a sign that Los Angeles had come into its own as a "metropolitan center" and that it was no longer necessary to make "annual pilgrimages to San Francisco" to obtain a wide selection of fine merchandise. In 1908 the store opened up a 5-story extension at the back, fronting on Hill Street -- Wikipedia

1895: 239 S. Broadway

As Los Angeles continued to grow, so did Robinson's business and in 1914 it announced its construction of a new $1,000,000, seven-story flagship store with over nine acres (400,000 square feet) of floor space, along the south side of West Seventh Street stretching alone the complete block between Grand and Hope streets. The store opened on September 7, 1915. The building was expanded to the south in 1923 at a cost of $900,000 for a total of 623,700 square feet. -- Wikipedia

1915:

In 1934, the building was remodeled for between $100,000–200,000 to a "restrained Modernistic" exterior, shedding some its more exuberant Art Deco features and adding more parking facilities. Robinson's was the largest store of what became a new upscale Seventh Street shopping district to the southwest of the concentration of department stores along Broadway, with Ville de Paris (later B. H. Dyas), Coulter's, Haggarty's and Desmond's opening stores nearby. The Robinson's store closed in 1993 and the building, 600 W. Seventh St., currently houses telecommunications (voice, data and internet servers), offices and ground-floor retail. -- Wikipedia

1934:

1936:

1940s:

Late 1970s:

 

[BobHufford]

1940s (or early 1950s) Knox Milan from Union Clothing, El Paso, Texas.

Established in 1892 by the Heil family with the location at 111 S. El Paso.

1896:

1902:

The 111 S. El Paso location in 1914 (the store moved to 200-202 El Paso in 1912).

1917:

1920 ad for Adler-Rochester showing the 200-202 El Paso store front.

Logo from a 1920s Stetson:

In 1950 the store merged with "The Fashion" clothing store to form "Union Fashion" which was at the corner of Oregon and San Antonio for years.

"The Fashion" on the left in the 1940s:

Union Fashion (on the near right) in 1978:

 

[BobHufford]

1950s Dobbs "Helgate" from Yandt's in Missoula, Montana.

Not sure when Yandt's started, but in 1925 they were partnered with Dragstedt's.

They seemed to be on north Higgins Avenue that whole time. Starting out at 531 N. Higgins as the above ad states. In 1929 Yandt and Dragstedt parted ways with Dragstedt's clothing store staying in the same 531 N. Higgins location for decades.

Dragstedt's in 1955 at the 531 N. Higgins location:

Yandt's moved to 425 N. Higgins until around 1937 when they moved to their final location at 403 N. Higgins (at Pine).
On New Year's Day in 1942 a fire broke out in the Gamble's store next door and Yandt's suffered damage to the upper floors (and smoke damage throughout).

They reopened shortly after (operating out of the basement) while the upper stories were rebuilt.

They were the go-to store for "riding" apparel for graduating high-school seniors apparently:

1947: (I dig the shirts)

1948: Is Hi wearing the Dobbs "Helgate" model?

Mid-1950s: Note that it says "Dobbs Hats" across the front of the awning. Apparently someone else was "relocating".

It looks like the store remodeled at some point (with a hideous facade) and went out of business in 1981 or thereabouts.

This drawing is from 1981:

The 403 N. Higgins location more recently:

 

[Mighty44]

1950s Dobbs "Helgate" from Yandt's in Missoula, Montana.

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Not sure when Yandt's started, but in 1925 they were partnered with Dragstedt's.

View attachment 516077

They seemed to be on north Higgins Avenue that whole time. Starting out at 531 N. Higgins as the above ad states. In 1929 Yandt and Dragstedt parted ways with Dragstedt's clothing store staying in the same 531 N. Higgins location for decades.

Dragstedt's in 1955 at the 531 N. Higgins location:

View attachment 516080

Yandt's moved to 425 N. Higgins until around 1937 when they moved to their final location at 403 N. Higgins (at Pine).
On New Year's Day in 1942 a fire broke out in the Gamble's store next door and Yandt's suffered damage to the upper floors (and smoke damage throughout).

View attachment 516078

They reopened shortly after (operating out of the basement) while the upper stories were rebuilt.

They were the go-to store for "riding" apparel for graduating high-school seniors apparently:

1947: (I dig the shirts)

View attachment 516076

1948: Is Hi wearing the Dobbs "Helgate" model?

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Mid-1950s: Note that it says "Dobbs Hats" across the front of the awning. Apparently someone else was "relocating".

View attachment 516074

It looks like the store remodeled at some point (with a hideous facade) and went out of business in 1981 or thereabouts.

This drawing is from 1981:

View attachment 516073

The 403 N. Higgins location more recently:

View attachment 516072

Very cool, thanks!

 

[BobHufford]

Very cool, thanks!

Thanks David! This one took a bit of effort. The fire photos were abundant, but I had to dig through pages of images to find the one of the store after the fire. That was just labeled "Moving a Building" with no keyword for Yandt's.

 

[BobHufford]

1920s Young's "Ambassador" boater from L. Frank in Mason City, Illinois.

L. Frank first opened in Mason City in 1875 and lasted until 1995.

I have only been able to find their location from 1914 when the IOOF Building on Chestnut Avenue was completed and L. Frank occupied the first floor (until their closing).

1920:

1947:

1957: Mason City's centennial.

1964: After an extensive remodel in 1962.

1966: The city was still operating a fairly archaic phone system at the time.

The IOOF location nowadays:

 

[BobHufford]

Dobbs Game Bird from Frank Bros. in San Antonio, Texas.

Frank Bros. (Gerson, Emil, and Sol Frank) was established in 1868. Known for its fine men's clothing, it was sold in 1963 and ceased operations in 1995.

1900: On the right. Not sure where they were prior to this, but they were in this location on Commerce Street on the Main Plaza (even after adding a second location on the Alamo Plaza in 1901) until 1913.

1902: On the left on the Alamo Plaza.

In 1907 they moved five doors down, but still on the Alamo Plaza.

1908:

1920s: Center with the vertical sign.

1944: Far left with the vertical sign.

1946: On the left past W.T. Grant.

1960s:

1976:

 

[BobHufford]

1950s Royal De Luxe Stetson "Tijuana" style from Weiby's in either Rainier, Silverton or Beaverton Oregon.

Not a lot found for this one.

Beaverton:

Location change in 1949: Apparently that was when they went to a full menswear store.

1950:

Silverton:

1961:

Rainier:

1940s:

1950s:

1950s:

1979:

 

[BobHufford]

1950s Royal De Luxe Stetson St. Regis from C. E. Greathouse and Son in Middletown, Ohio.

Charles Edward Greathouse opened his clothing store in 1885 at 503 Vanderveer Street in Middletown, Ohio.

In 1924 his three sons joined the business and the name changed to C. E. Greathouse and Sons and they relocated to 1037 Central Avenue.

1925:

In 1940 the name was shortened to C. E. Greathouse and Son (reflecting two of the sons moving on to other interests or ... shuffling off this mortal coil perhaps).

1940:

1945:

In 1946 they purchased the Ritter Brothers Building next door (on the right in the photo up above) and after an extensive remodel opened up their larger store.

1947:

1962: With a sign font similar to what is in my hat.

Usually we see a store opening a branch in a mall, but the city had built the Middletown Mall around the store by enclosing the entire street with a roof in 1973. C. E. Greathouse redid their facade at this time.

1976:

The store (still run by the same family) closed in 1982. The mall closed, the roof was removed and the street opened back up to traffic in 2000.

 

[Blare]

1945:

I was a first glance a bit concerned with the “hats” on the top shelf.

 

[BobHufford]

1920s Stetson Excellent Quality bowler / derby from Maurice L. Rothschild.

Maurice L. Rothschild was born in 1864 in Nordstetten, Germany. At 14, he left to seek his fortune and made his way to Chicago where he worked in a wholesale clothier at a salary of $8 a week. Suffering from poor health, he was persuaded by his relatives to move west. Determined to establish his own retail venture, he filled a covered wagon with goods and traveled to Kansas. A loan from an uncle helped him establish his first retail store in Seneca, Kansas in 1884. When customers initially failed to materialize, he brought an armful of overcoats to the roof of his store and threw them to people below as a publicity stunt. His store began to thrive, and he opened a second in the nearby town of Sabetha.

While his businesses did well, larger ambitions led him to Minneapolis, where his sister Gusta lived. He sold his Kansas concerns, and in 1887 opened his first Minneapolis store The Palace Clothing House at 43-45 Washington Avenue South, the first retail store in Minneapolis’ downtown to feature electric lights. He soon outgrew the small space and in 1891 moved his operation to a larger space in the Rothwell Building at 315 Nicollet Ave. His business thrived and continued to expand. He added a store in St. Paul in 1893 and another in Chicago in 1904.

In 1905, as the business began to outgrow the Minneapolis location, Rothschild purchased the Warner estate corner at 4th and Nicollet for the princely sum of $287,500. Construction of an eight story “skyscraper” named the Palace Building began soon thereafter and was completed in 1907. As might be expected of a farseeing businessman like Rothschild, the building was constructed with expansion in mind. The footings were strong enough to support an additional eight stories. The Maurice L. Rothschild and Company operated out of the first three floors of the building with the remainder leased to various other businesses. The store continued in operation in the Palace Building past Rothschild’s death in 1941, under the leadership of his widow Hulda. In 1949, the Maurice L. Rothschild and Co. merged with Young-Quinlan Co. and moved to new offices on Nicollet and Ninth Street.

The building had a troubled last decade. The floors formerly occupied by Rothschild’s company were vacant for two years before Northwestern Bell Telephone moved in in 1951. In 1952, it was sold for $500,000 to a New York real estate firm who offered to sell it to Hennepin County four years later for $450,000. The County wasn’t interested, and in 1960, the building was purchased for $520,000 by the Minneapolis Housing and Redevelopment Authority, who immediately condemned it (along with most of the rest of the block) to make way for an open plaza recreational center. No doubt Rothschild would have been proud to hear that the building died hard. The contractor tasked with the demolition was 25 days over schedule saying that “they just don’t make buildings like it any more.” - https://hclib.tumblr.com/post/109700671628/archaeology-of-the-ritz-block-part-iv-a


1890: Ad for the Seneca, Kansas location (thanks @DaveProc for the ad image).

Circa 1890: The Palace Clothing Company in Minneapolis on Nicollet Avenue.

Circa 1907: After building the Palace Building next door.

1939:

The St. Paul location in the late 1930s:

St. Paul interior in 1945:

Chicago location (State and Jackson) circa 1905:

Additions were done in 1910 and 1931.