USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Hyman's handbook of Indianapolis : an outline history and description of the capital of Indiana, with over three hundred illustrations from photographs made expressly for this work (1907) > Part 16
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In 1903 Charles Mayer & Company gave up the large wholesale trade to give exclusive attention to the retail business and the Wash- ington street building was remodeled and improved for a retail store. The first floor shows a magnificent display of jewelry, watches, clocks. silver, bronzes, fans, opera glasses, leather goods, perfumery and toilet articles, cutlery, smokers' articles, stationery, etc. The second floor contains fine china, ornaments, pottery, dinner and toilet ware, cut glass, art wares, beautiful lamps and electroliers, marble statuary, etc. The third floor is occupied with athletic and sporting goods, leather goods, traveling bags, satchels, suit cases and trunks, baskets, house- hold furnishings, bird cages, and baby carriages and go carts. The fourth floor is given over to toys, dolls, books, games and novelties for children. Importations of wares are made direct from France, Ger- many, Austria, Bohemia, England, Russia, Japau, etc. An average force of from one hundred to one hundred and fifty experienced clerks are employed in various capacities. The firm is a member of the Mer- chants' Association.
1
FR & CO.
CHAS. M
CHAS. MAYER & CO.
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Vonnegut Hardware Company-The Vonnegut Hardware Company, wholesale and retail dealers, 120-124 East Washington street, is the development of a business that was established originally in 1851 by Mr. Clemens Vonnegut, sr., and in 1898 assumed the present style, with Mr. Clemens Vonnegut and his three sons, Clemens Vonnegut, jr., Franklin Von- negut and Geo. Vonnegut, as partners. Their five-story and basement building, 45 x 200 feet, con- tains a very large and com- plete stock, in- cluding the best and finest productions of leading Ameri- can manufac- turers and the finest imported articles, the as- sortment em - bracing build- ers' and cab- inet hardware, machinery, tools, manufac- turers' sup- plies, meat VONNEGUT HARDWARE COMPANY. market outfits.
imported and domestic cutlery, household hardware, etc. Besides their large retail trade, they have a heavy wholesale business covering In- diana, Illinois, Ohio and the South, and employ six traveling sales- men. Mr. Clemens Vonnegut, Sr., died December 13, 1906, and the business is now conducted by his sons.
The Pettis Dry Goods Co., better known as the "Greater New York Store," 25 to 41 East Washington street, is oue of the attractions of the city. It is the oldest and largest and undoubtedly one of the best-known mercantile establishments in the state. Beginning in 1853 with a small single room in the old Bates House, the Pettis Dry Goods Co. represents fifty-four years of progressive development. As season
E
PETHSIRT FOODES COMPAR
THE NEW YORK STORE ... .
THE NEW YORK STORE.
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after season passes, the ever increasing popularity as the shopping center necessitated the enlargement of the store so that now it requires 250,000 square feet of floor space to accommodate the increased busi ness. The store is one of the best planned and finest arranged in the West, containing all the most up-to-date methods of store service, and the equal of any either in Chicago or New York. There are sixty departments, each a complete store in itself, embracing almost every thing needed to supply the wants of the public, each under the direc tion of a department manager. The main building fronting on Wash ington street is of imposing appearance, 125x200 feet in dimensions six stories high, with basement underneath the entire building and connecting with a tunnel to the basement of the State Life Building which contains the stove and house furnishing departments.
The annex on Pearl street is a solid structure, 67x67 feet, with five floors and basement. It is connected with the main building by a tunne beneath and a bridge on the third floor. In the basement of this build ing is installed one of the most complete heating and lighting plants in the city. The Pettis Dry Goods Co. is in close touch at all times with the markets of two continents, having its own resident buyers in thel leading countries of Europe. from whom the latest and richest novelties that European manufacturers produce are received weekly.
Mr. George A. Gay is president and general manager.
Saks and Company-Ou one of the most prominent corners in the city, in a building bearing its own name, is located one of the most complete men's and boys' outfitting establishments in the country. Saks! and Company have been a factor in commercial Indianapolis just a decade and have kept pace in their enterprise with the rapid growth of the city. This is one of three stores owned and operated by this firm. The parent store is the most extensive establishment of the kind in Washington, D. C., while in busy Herald Square, New York City, stands the seven-story, country-wide famous building of Saks and Company. In addition to these retail enterprises the firm operates a manufacturing plant in which is made the men's clothing sold in its chain of stores. The members of the firm are practical clothing men, and to them, per- haps more than to any one else, is due the almost phenomenal perfec- tion to which clothing ready for wear has attained. Under their sys- tem of designing and making it is no longer necessary for the man to seek his individual tailor that his clothes may fit properly or have the latest features of fashion intelligently and consistently embodied. Saks and Company's "Distinctive Clothes for Men" have become famous among the best dressers of the three important centers where they are obtainable.
Interiorly the Saks and Company store is a thoroughly modernly appointed store. Its equipment is of the latest pattern, while its sphere
SAKS . & . COMPANY.
HOME OFFICE RESERVE LOAN LIFE INSURANCE CO.
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of service extends to every feature of men's and "boys' wearing ap- parel, with a department of sporting and athletic goods, for which the public of today is an enthusiastic votary.
The policy which governs this big business is laid upon the most advanced commercial ethics. It is a one-price store in fact as well as name. Its announcements and its merchandise command implicit confidence by its unbroken career of liberal and straightforward deal- ings.
L. S. Ayres & Co., one of Indiana's leading dry goods stores, occu- pies the very prominent southwest corner of Meridian and Washington streets, extending through to Pearl street. This business, established thirty-eight years ago, has long held an enviable position among the high-class retail forces of the city.
Its present location, dates from October, 1905, when the beautiful cight-story fireproof structure of brick and steel at that point was com- pleted and furnished. For its purpose no more modern building exists, expense being lightly considered where perfection of detail and retail conveniences were concerned.
Four passenger elevators of the largest capacity enable customers to reach any floor quickly ; a balcony rest room provides a highly ap- preciated rendezvous for shoppers, while such modern conveniences as postoffice, express office, telegraph and telephone stations are provided in connection with a free checking desk.
Much patronized are the fifth floor tea and grill room and the basement quick lunch tables, the former elegant and excellent in service and cuisine, the latter popular in price and patronage. The tea rooms of the big stores are appreciated by womankind. Hotels and other restaurants have always catered to men because their best patrons were men. The tea room of the Ayres store has more women patrons than men and its service is designed to please them particularly.
In its high-grade stocks of merchandise, however, lies the acknowI- edged charm of the Ayres store. Better goods are to be found nowhere in the country. The choicest products of the loom-silks, woolens and cottons-are shown in prodigal profusion ; ready-made garments crowd one whole floor; headwear and footwear take up a considerable sec- tion of another floor, while rugs, draperies and art wares overflow another.
The basement is a store in itself, featuring popular-priced dry goods and household necessities. While these features are comparatively new they have proved their worth and are still proving it by a constantly increasing patronage.
Two entire floors are given over to manufacturing-the sixth and seventh. Dressmakers and women's tailors occupy the sixth floor in its entirety-the largest shop for high-grade custom work in the state
L. S. AYRES & CO.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
Upholsterers, cabinet makers, picture framers and makers of draperies and carpets tax the capacity of the seventh. These artisans are occu- . pied altogether with to-order work.
The reputation of the Ayres store as a fashion exponent is well known, and this position it maintains by efforts not considered essen- tial by many merchants. A resident Paris buyer, frequent trips to New York and abroad by dressmakers and department managers are con- sidered well worth the expense. In no other way can a store know that its goods are just right. Ayres merchandise is right; a fast-grow- ing patronage proclaims the fact.
C. W. Craig, Confectioner, No. 6 East Washington street-For more than a quarter of a century the name of "Craig's" has been asso- ciated in Indianapolis with the best place to get the best in confections, and the fame of his prod- ucts has extended beyond the boundaries of the state. The business was established in 1873, and the motto of the house, "Not how cheap, but how good," that was adopted at its inception to mark its goods, has become familiar to all those who. visit the city who appreciate excellence of quality more than cheapness in candies. Craig's candies have the well-earned reputation of being as good as the products of the most famous candy makers of this country. A notable feature of this estab- lishment and one that has met the hearty favor of the lady visitors to this place are the dainty lunches that are served here daily. The service is excellent, the prices moderate and the bill-of- G Proin! G fare embraces, in addition to the light lunches, all the best in ice cream sodas, which are served in endless variety and which have made t the most popular place in the city for "after-matinee" parties and gatherings. Craig's establishment is located in the heart of the shopping district, and visitors to the city should not fail to take home C. W. CRAIG. a box of Craig's delicious confections as a sweet reminder of their visit to the Hoosier capital.
H. P. Wasson & Co., West Washington Street-This is one of the greatest establishments in the Central West and one of the prominent features to which all visitors to the city are directed. Established a little over 25 years ago by H. P. Wasson, this store has been kept abreast of the development of Indianapolis as a retail market, pre- senting at all times the choicest of merchandise from the best-known makers in the world for the selection of those living in the territory
H. P. WASSON & CO.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
tributary to this city. This great store occupies one of the most promi- nent locations in the heart of the shopping district ; it consists of sixty- six departments, each a complete store within itself and each pre- senting a more complete line than is usually found in stores devoted exclusively to that particular business, and employing over 600 persons. The merchandise sold here is the best that money can buy, which car- ries with it the guarantee that the money will be returned on any pur- chase proven to be not as represented. The stores that are embraced in this establishment are as follows: Silks, velvets, robes, black dress goods, colored dress goods, wash goods, linings, domestics, beddings, notions, linens, china, glassware, trunks, toys, gloves, hosiery, women's, children's and men's underwear, men's furnishings, jewelry, cut glass, leather goods, toilet articles, trimmings and braids, umbrellas, silver- ware, ribbons, laces, embroideries, white goods, aprons, handkerchiefs, women's neckwear, veilings, feather boas, millinery, kimonas, corsets, muslin underwear, infants' wear, waists, furs, women's cloaks and suits, children's cloaks and suits, curtains, draperies, carpets, linoleums. mattings, rugs, house furnishings, wall paper, shoes, McCall patterns, soda fountain, grocery department, stationery, art goods, restaurant and the notable dressmaking department.
The dressmaking department of Wasson's consists of three distinct establishments, occupying the entire fifth and sixth floors, employing nearly 250 people, and each in charge of an expert modiste who visits Europe twice a year, thus keeping in touch with the creations of the most notable Europeau artist-modistes.
The Badger Furniture Company was incorporated on March 4, 1896.' It is one of the leading house-furnishing and decorating estab- lishments of the city. It carries a large stock of furniture of medium and better grade, with Oriental and domestic rugs and draperies. The store has been named the "Plainfigureshop" because all goods, are marked in plain figures with the lowest price. This plan was an untried one among the furniture dealers of Indianapolis until its introduction by the Badger Furniture Company. Under it the most easy-going buyer stands on a precisely equal footing with the most zealous bargain hunter. The same spirit of frankness which prompted the adoption of the one-price plan has characterized all the dealings of this firm with the public. The company has rapidly risen to a position second to none in the state, largely because of its consistent adherence to this policy. The Badger Furniture Company occupies a large double building, consist- ing of eight floors on each side, located at 14-20 E. Washington street, in the heart of the business district of the city. Visitors are always made to feel at home. The officers of the company are: C. H. Badger, presi- dent; T. R. Rainey, vice-president ; F. R. Kautz, treasurer ; H. H. Had- ley, secretary. This firm is a member of the Merchants' Association,
I
THE BADGER FURNITURE CO
Badge's,
Badgers
BADGER FURNITURE COMPANY,
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George J. Marott, who has been engaged in the retail shoe trade in this city on his own account since 1885, now conducts one of the largest and handsomest shoe emporiums in the United States at 26 and 28 East Washington street. This establishment is not only the pride of our citi- zens, but is a point of attraction to thousands who visit our city annu- ally. The ground floor and basement are utilized for business purposes and the splendid appearance of the former with its twenty-foot ceiling, and magnificent appointments, impress the visitor with the spirit of
INTERIOR GEORGE J. MAROTT'S SHOE STORE.
enterprise everywhere apparent. The furniture is of the richest and most comfortable character, and everything that can add to the at- tractiveness of the establishment and facilitate business has been in- stalled. It is not only one of the largest retail shoe emporiums in the United States, but ranks as one of the largest in the world. In every way Mr. Marott has been foremost in inaugurating modern methods in his business, and has always co-operated with other merchants in making Indianapolis attractive as a retail market for the citizens of the state. The establishment is located in the Lombard building, in the heart of the shopping district, on East Washington street.
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Wulschner=Stewart Music Company-The oldest and leading piano house in Indianapolis is that. of the Wulschner-Stewart Music Company, manufacturers of and dealers iu pianos and musical instruments of all kinds. The business was es- tablished thirty years ago by the late Emil Wulschner, who afterward took into partnership his stepson, A. M. Stewart, the firm . becoming Wulschner & Son, and in May, 1900, after the death of Mr. Emil Wulsch- ner, the present company was Sensical Merchandise incorporated, the business now being officially supervised by Mr. A. M. Stewart as vice- president and manager. The company occupies a prominent Bianos and Organ position as leading manufac- turers of pianos, besides which they are representatives of other leading manufacturers, and they have built up a very large trade at wholesale in In- Sub ehhez Stewart Muito Cox dianapolis and vicinity. The company have an interest in a well-known piano factory and PLANOS have put on the market two grades of pianos of unsurpassed quality, one known as the Wulschner piano and the other as the Stewart piano, and both being made in accordance withı WULSCHNER.STEWART MUSIC CO. the highest ideals of piano manufacturing. Through the medium of this house the company is thus enabled to offer to Indiana purchasers the opportunity to buy at retail the highest grade of pianos at strictly factory prices. A notable feature of this house is its Player piano department, one whole floor of their large building being devoted to a display of these popular in- struments. In connection with these instruments they carry in their library over 15,000 rolls to be used on the Player pianos, embracing all the latest popular music as well as all the works of the most noted com- posers. These rolls are sold on the exchange plan at ten cents each.
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Concerts are given daily in this department and every one is cordiall: invited to listen to these wonderful instruments.
The stock at this store includes a large number of the representative makes of the eastern market-pianos that have a world-wide reputation for standards of excellence, also organs, orchestra and band instruments. In addition to this the sheet music department is one of the largest in the Middle West.
The Taggart Baking Co .- It was in 1869 that the original Taggart bakery began business. Alexander Taggart began business here in a small way, baking bread, crack- ers and cakes. He gave his per- sonal attention to all work at that time, as he has done since as far as is possible in a large concern like the present factory. Later on he gradually worked up a wholesale business, and sold his product through the grocers over the city. At the formation of the National Biscuit Company Mr. Taggart took charge of the Indianapolis plant, and con- tinued in that position until a few years ago, when he severed his connection there and became TAGGART BAKING CO. a party to the organization of the Taggart Baking Company, with his brother, Joseph Taggart, and his son, A. L. Taggart. The company is capitalized at $250,000.00.
The present building at 18-28 North New Jersey street is the largest bread bakery in the state, running 19 ovens, with a capacity of some thing more than 300,000 loaves of bread a week, in addition to crackers,. cakes, pastry, etc. Taggart's bread is shipped to the various parts 01 Indiana, and into adjoining states. Besides making many special kinds. of bread, the Taggart company devotes its attention to "Puritan," "Home-Made" and "Golden Cream," the wrapped loaf. Jersey Butter Crackers, made to be eaten with oysters, are a Taggart product. The butter crackers enjoy an unusual popularity in Indianapolis, though in other cities over the United States similar crackers have been put on the market with little or no success.
The Taggart Baking Company conducts nine retail stores in Indian- apolis for the sale of its wares. The largest of these, at 233-239 Massa- chusetts avenue, has a lunch room in connection, as also has the one at 49-31 Virginia avenue.
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
TAGGART BAKING CO .- MASSACHUSETTS AVE. STORE.
The Scofield=Pierson Company have an up-to-date book and sta- tionery store just south of the new Federal building in 146 North Penn- sylvania street. As successors to a former enterprising firm, they have a business of fifteen years' popular success. Here are the latest copy- right and gift books; poetry, history and the great standard books ; boys', girls' and school books; Bibles and prayer books. Besides books, the public will find first-class stationery of newest designs and finest quality, both for society and the office. Engraving and embossing is a leading feature, and special attention is given to wedding invitations, announcements and calling cards. Fountain pens, letter files and filing devices, blank books, ink and all stationery requisites are always in stock. Nowhere else in the city can be found so complete retail lines of souvenir post cards and novelties. In their basement are Indiana head- quarters of all kinds of religious books, church and Sunday school song books, cards, class-books, records, envelopes, maps, blackboards, badges, pins, marriage certificates, etc. They issue a neat S. S. catalogue and meet the lowest prices.
Beginning with the popular demand for souvenir post cards, the Scofield-Pierson Company wholesaled them to other city dealers, and
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HYMAN'S HANDBOOK OF INDIANAPOLIS.
THE SCOFIELD-PIERSON CO.
the success of their "Riley Roses" card, which they published in De cem ber, 1906, encour- aged them to organize a stock company for manufac- turing and im- porting post cards and other paper goods. In March, 1907, they incorpo- rated the Im-
port Post Card Company, with E. B. Scofield, president; A. S. Pierson, vice-president; C. W. Pierson. secretary-treasurer, and J. W. Parker, manager. They have quarters iu the Pembroke Arcade. The com- pany soon put four salesmen in the field and orders came from all sec- tions of the country, requiring a good force to care for them. Mr. Parker is an experienced post card man, and he and Mr. C. W. Pierson give their entire time to the business. While many of their fine cards are made in Germany, the cards made in this city from plates engraved here are the very best and the most popular. New cards, and new series of cards, done from paintings by the special artists of the company in the "Arcade" rooms, are coming out frequently, and the Import Post Card Company is a live enterprise.
The Marott Building-The most remarkable improvement in In- dianapolis in recent years has been made in the territory embraced north of Ohio street on Massachusetts avenue. This avenue is the great artery that taps the most populous section of the city and sur- rounding territory, and more people travel this thoroughfare than any other. Realizing the needs of a suitable building for department store purposes and one that would meet the growing demands of this busy avenue, Mr. George J. Marott erected in 1906 one of the largest and most commodious buildings in the city at Nos. 342 to 358 Massachusetts avenue. It is a five-story and basement structure with all the latest improvements necessary to modern store construction, and its great ex- panse of front is the largest in the city for the display of merchandise.
TAYLOR'S
JO JM.NEED TO
FURNITURE
JEWELER. WATCHES DIAMONDS +M . SILVERWAF
Il Paper.
WASSON'S
JAERA'S,
RZETS
¿UGS.
TRUNKS
VIEW OF WASHINGTON STREET, LOOKING EAST FROM ILLINOIS STREET.
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-
THE MAROTT BUILDING.
To enable one to get a proper estimate of the value of the location of the Marott building, which marks the heart of the new shopping dis- triet of Indianapolis, consideration must be given to the enormous traffic that passes its doors. Seven of the most important street car lines, tapping the most populous section of the city to the north and northeast and five interurban lines bring their passengers to this building.
NOTABLE MANUFACTURERS
AN OUTLINE DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE NOTABLE MANUFACTURING CONCERNS CARRIED ON OR REPRESENTED IN INDIANAPOLIS.
It is in the field of manufactures that Indianapolis has achieved its highest distinction among the cities of the West. The rapid increase of its industries forms the most interesting chapter in its material de- velopment. During the past decade its manufacturers have more than doubled the value of their plants and products. According to the cen- sus bulletin on manufacturing and mechanical industry, issued by the United States Census Bureau, for 1905, shows that Indianapolis has 810 manufacturing and mechanical industries, which employ 26,725 per- sons and pay out annually to employes $12.620,413. The value of the annual product of these concerns is $82,227,950. Among its many and varied enterprises it numbers the largest carriage factory, the largest exclusive engine and boiler plant, saw works, and mill machinery fac- tory in the world. It has many others, notably in furniture, veneers, garments, pharmaceutical goods, that rank among the foremost in their particular branches in the country.
Indianapolis has become a manufacturing center because of its unexcelled railway facilities, its nearness to the center of population in the United States, and its inexhaustible supply of cheap fuel, brought from the great coal fields but fifty miles away. Its position is inviting for the location of manufacturers and its future development along this line will undoubtedly surpass its wonderful record in the past.
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