A History of Wanamaker

A History of Wanamaker. . , 1838: John Wanamaker is born on July 11 in Philadelphia. He will become a prominent merchant, philanthropist, and religious, civic, and political leader, including serving as the U.S. Postmaster General., 1861: John and his brother-in-law, Nathan Brown, establish Oak Hall, a men's clothing store in Philadelphia founded on the then-revolutionary principle: "One Price, Full Guarantee, Money Returned"., 1869: Following the untimely death of Brown, the company of two thriving stores is renamed John Wanamaker and Co., 1874: Wanamaker purchases the abandoned Philadelphia Railroad freight station at 13th and Market Streets, and begins transforming it into his newest store, aptly named the Grand Depot., 1876: On March 26, 1876 the Grand Depot opens in the midst of the Centennial Exposition, attracting thousands to visit the nation's largest men's and children's clothing store., 1877: Following a successful holiday season, the store is renovated into Philadelphia's first modern department store and one of the earliest in America. Its Grand Opening is attended by 71,106 people on March 12., 1861-1880: As evidence of Wanamaker's innovation in the retail business, the Grand Depot becomes the first modern department store with:

1861: Price tags , 1878: Electrical illumination , 1879: Telephones , 1879: In-store restaurant , 1880: Pneumatic tubes to transport cash and documents

, 1904-1911: Prominent American architect Daniel Burnham is engaged to design a retail emporium to replace the Grand Depot. The new store, named Wanamaker's, is built around a central Grand Court that houses the Wanamaker Organ and a 2,500-pound bronze Eagle statue. This is to become a popular meeting place, and Philadelphians still may say "Meet me at the Eagle"., 1911: The largest playable instrument in the world, the Wanamaker Organ begins playing daily public concerts, a practice that continues today. President William Howard Taft dedicates the building on December 30, 1911.1912: Wanamaker's, the first store in the nation to have a wireless, receives news of the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912., 1922: The Wanamaker Organ concerts are broadcast for the first time on Wanamaker station WOO. John Wanamaker dies on December 12, 1922 at age 84. Business continues under the leadership of his son, Rodman Wanamaker., 1923: 400,000 Philadelphians contributed $35,000 to a fund to raise a statue of John Wanamaker on the east side of City Hall, forever watching his architectural marvel., 1928: Rodman Wanamaker dies on March 9, 1928. Control of Wanamaker's is turned over to a Board of Trustees., 1955: Lighting designer, Frederick Yost, creates the "Holiday Light Show" for the buildings Grand Court. This holiday display continues to be a cherished Philadelphia holiday season., 1971: The Wanamaker Building is added to the National Register of Historic Places., 1972: The Wanamaker Building is added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places., 1978: The Wanamaker Building is declared a National Historic Landmark. The Wanamaker Family Trust sells John Wanamaker and Co. to Carter Hawley Hale Stores., 1978-1987: Despite investments in renovations and publicity, the retail business declines, and the building is acquired by a real estate developer that converts floors 6-12 into a modern office building with an interior Atrium mirroring the Grand Court., 1997: Floors 4 and 5 are converted into office space to meet the growing demand for office users., 2007: The American Institute of Architects (AIA) ranks the Wanamaker Building as #32 on the list of 150 pieces of American architecture., 2009: The Wanamaker Building is designated as an Energy Star structure for its efficiency., 2011: The Wanamaker Building is presented with the 2011 Landmark Building Award by the Philadelphia Chapter of the AIA., 2018: The Grand Court, The Eagle, and The Wanamaker Organ are designated as a Philadelphia Historic Landmark., 2020: Major building renovations including the main lobby, the Atrium, and the outdoor plaza are completed for the benefit of employees and guests of The Wanamaker Building.