Downtown Riverside in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Former Rouse's Department Store

1895

— Cultural Heritage Board Landmark —

Rouse's Department Store Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Volt Craft, June 26, 2026

1. Rouse's Department Store Building Marker

Inscription. This building has been remodeled several times, beginning in 1915. The most important remodeling was undertaken in 1924 with G. Stanley Wilson as architect. The upper floor of the facade still features a portion of Wilson's contributions, based upon Spanish Renaissance architecture of the 15th century a local newspaper of the time claimed that Mr. Wilson had turned "an ordinary mercantile store into a work of art."

Erected by Cultural Heritage Board, City of Riverside. (Marker Number 50.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Riverside Cultural Heritage Board Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.

Location. 33° 58.889′ N, 117° 22.5′ W. Marker is in Riverside, California, in Riverside County. It is in Downtown Riverside. It is on University Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3750 University Avenue, Riverside CA 92501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

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: Dosan Ahn Chang-Ho Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Riverside City Hall (about 300 feet away); The Roosevelt Building (about 400 feet away); Jackson Building

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(about 400 feet away); White Park Building (about 400 feet away); Arcade Building (about 400 feet away); White Park (about 500 feet away); Riverside Military Wall of Honor (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riverside.

Also see . . .
1. Landmarks of the City of Riverside (#50).

This store was built in 1895 and was remodeled several times. The most important remodeling was undertaken in 1924 with G. Stanley Wilson as architect, and includes features reminiscent of Spanish Renaissance architecture.

(Submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)

2. Riverside in 1924.

There were several department stores in downtown Riverside where you could find clothes and accessories. The best-known two were Rouse’s and Reynold’s. Rouse’s Department Store was on Main Street between Eight and Ninth Streets in the building that today is part of the Barbara and Art Culver Center of the Arts. In its day, it was the place where the high-fashion-conscious would do their shopping. A December 1924 ad before Christmas (without prices) listed such items as Perrin Gloves, Chinese-designed Handkerchiefs,
Photographed by Volt Craft, June 26, 2026

2. Rouse's Department Store Building Marker
The marker is at lower center.
Elizabeth Arens toilet goods, Van Raalite pure-thread silk stockings, and Omar Pearls. You had to visit the store to find the prices if you were looking for such fancy items.

(Submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)

3. (Picture) Advertisement for Rouse's department store. (Submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California.)

Additional keywords. Rouse’s Department Store Building, The Barbara and Art Culver Center of the Arts,

Photographed by Volt Craft, June 26, 2026

3. Rouse's Department Store Building Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 27, 2026, by Volt Craft of Riverside, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.