City Center in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Robert Schwartz and Company Building
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 9, 2025
1. Robert Schwartz and Company Building Marker
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.
Location. 35° 2.837′ N, 85° 18.498′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is in City Center. It is at the intersection of Cherry Street and East 8th Street, on the right when traveling north on Cherry Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 736 Cherry St, Chattanooga TN 37402, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Library Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ochs/Times Building (about 300 feet away); Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (about 500 feet away); First Coca-Cola Bottling Company In The United States (about 500 feet away); First Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); Abby Crawford Milton (about 500 feet away); Sit-in Movement of 1960 (about 500 feet away); Central Block Building / Site of First Presbyterian Church (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chattanooga.
Regarding Robert Schwartz and Company Building.
this page online
The Robert Schwartz and Company Building represents an unusual use of architectural detailing usually reserved for high-rise structures of this time period. These details include the building's wide structural bays which allow the use of Chicago windows in the upper stories, and the use of glazed architectural terra cotta as the cladding material of the entire surface of the two major facades.
Robert Schwartz and Company, a ladies ready-to-wear clothing shop was the first occupant of the building. In 1932 the locally based Edmondson School of Business occupied the building and used the upper floors for classrooms. They remained at this location until 1942. Since that time various businesses have occupied the three storefronts, not staying for more than a couple of years in each case. The upper floors remained vacant.
Also see . . . Robert Schwartz and Company Building. National Register nomination (PDF) and accompanying photographs (separate PDF) for the building, which was listed in 1984. (Prepared by Robin Krawitz and W. Vance Travis, Jr.; via National Park Service) (Submitted on June 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 10, 2025
2. Robert Schwartz and Company Building Marker
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 10, 2025
3. Robert Schwartz and Company Building
The Corset and Underwear Review, via Google Books (Public Domain), circa October 1928
4. Robert Schwartz & Co. store display
Founded in 1912, the firm specialized in women's ready-to-wear clothing and millinery work. It had 23 employees in 1925; all but three of them were women.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
