Beverly Hills in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Gearys Beverly Hills

— Golden Shield Commemorative Plaque —

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Gearys Beverly Hills Marker

Inscription.
Gearys opened its doors at this location in 1930. The retailer was named for its founder, H.L. Geary. In 1953 Geary retired and sold the firm to Fred and Ruth Meyer and with the help of their son Bruce established the brand as a luxury retailer. In 1997 the business was sold by the Meyer family and in 2003 the operation of the firm returned to the longtime family owners after purchase by Thomas Blumenthal, Fred and Ruth Meyer's grandson.

Erected by City of Beverly Hills. (Marker Number 5.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 34° 4.166′ N, 118° 24.096′ W. Marker is in Beverly Hills, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on Beverly Drive south of Brighton Way, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 351 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills CA 90210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

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on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Francis-Orr Stationary Co. (a few steps from this marker); Pixie Town (within shouting distance of this marker); Anderton Court (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nate 'N Al (about 400 feet away); Romanoff’s/The Daisy (about 400 feet away); Harry Harris Shoes (about 500 feet away); Uncle Bernie’s Toy Menagerie (about 500 feet away); Pioneer Hardware Store (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beverly Hills.

Regarding Gearys Beverly Hills. Geary's Beverly Hills first opened its doors in 1930 at 357 North Beverly Drive. That building was an ornate Spanish Colonial Revival style structure designed by notable architect Harry E. Werner and built in 1925 (now altered). Named after its founder, Harry Logan Geary, the shop operated as a small neighborhood specialty store called the H.L. Geary

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 20, 2025

2. Gearys Beverly Hills Marker

The marker lays flat in the sidewalk.

Art & Gift Shop where art supplies and picture framing services were offered as well as distinctive items such as fine dinnerware, tableware, and unique housewarming gifts. By the late 1930s, the store, now called Geary's, had grown substantially and was occupying the Art Deco style building next door at 351 North Beverly Drive, where the business is currently located (the building façade has been remodeled).
Doctor Harry Logan Geary (1877-1954) graduated from Northwestern University in 1905 and practiced dentistry in the Pacific Northwest before moving to Beverly Hills in 1929. Before graduation he prospected for gold in the Yukon and served as purser aboard a ship that sailed between Seattle and Alaska. H.L. Geary, a former President of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, retired in 1945.
In 1953, Geary sold the business to the Meyer family. Fred Meyer, a prominent local businessman who owned several upscale concessions in nearby department stores, created a new business plan for Geary's, with a unique store of tableware lines, silver, china, glass, and home accessories, and gift items from around the world. Fred, along with his

Gearys Beverly Hills image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 20, 2025

3. Gearys Beverly Hills

wife Ruth, revamped and expanded the showroom to include an ever-growing assortment of exclusive, luxury merchandise for entertaining, solidifying Geary's Beverly Hills flagship store as a true institution of the city. In the following decades, Fred and Ruth's son Bruce oversaw the further expansion of the landmark store by providing a successful mail order business with Geary's signature brand of luxury. While the façade of the building has undergone change over the years, the selection of luxury gifts that define Geary's remains the same.

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 20, 2025

4. Gearys Beverly Hills

Gearys Beverly Hills - 1938 image. Click for full size.

courtesy Beverlyhills.org

5. Gearys Beverly Hills - 1938

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 214 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 21, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on July 22, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.