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Departed Department Stores

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Seattle’s historic department stores not only brought a wide range of products to the Pacific Northwest but were also hubs for socialization and entertainment. Frederick & Nelson, The Bon Marché, The Rhodes Company, and MacDougall & Southwick were grand emporiums that included restaurants and space for concerts and lectures. As the retail landscape changed and national conglomerates replaced local ownership, these stores all closed or were rebranded.

Some of the items shown below were added to MOHAI’s online collection thanks to a grant supported with funding provided by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.

Image of Silver heeled shoes with gold accents, ca. 1920-1925
Image of View of Second Avenue looking south, Seattle, 1912
Image of Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) souvenir pitcher made for The Bon Marché, 1909
Image of Seattle waterfront from Elliott Bay, 1917
Image of Quilted purple suede shoes, ca. 1940
Image of Corner of 1st Ave. and Pike St., Seattle, circa 1899
Image of Pair of black French-style heeled shoes, ca. 1905
Image of Cooper and Levy calendar, Seattle, 1896
Image of Muff covered with silk violets, ca. 1900
Image of Rhodes Bros. Co. letter, September 25, 1919
Image of Purple velvet hat from MacDougall & Southwick, ca. 1905
Image of Blanche and Henry B. Owen, Seattle, 1931
Image of Black patent dancing shoes, ca. 1915-1918
Image of Frederick & Nelson interior, Seattle, circa 1925
Image of Girl Scout shoes, ca. 1915
Image of Frederick & Nelson interior, Seattle, circa 1925
Image of Purple straw hat with velvet flowers, 1923
Image of Frederick & Nelson's Tea Room menu for Afternoon Tea, circa 1935
Image of Frederick & Nelson store card, Charge-a-Plate, ca. 1940
Image of Frederick & Nelson's Tea Room menu, circa 1935
Image of Navy blue and red silk necktie, ca. 1950s-1960s
Image of The Bon Marché's spring fashion display announcement, 1914
Image of Silk necktie, ca. 1950s-1960s
Image of Frederick & Nelson account statement, December 1908
Image of Two-tone blue silk necktie, ca. 1950s-1960s
Image of Santa Claus figure at Northgate Shopping Center, Seattle, circa 1958
Image of Grey silk necktie with colorful images, ca. 1960
Image of Women modeling latest MacDougall & Southwick fashions, probably in Seattle, circa 1924
Image of Beige reptile designer pumps, ca. 1963
Image of Frederick & Nelson department store exterior, circa 1918
Image of Rhinestone brooch and earrings with Rhodes Department Store box, 1962
Image of Women in working in kitchen at Frederick & Nelson, Seattle, circa 1920
Image of Pair of magenta satin pumps, 1962
Image of Radio station KFOA at Rhodes department store, 1923
Image of Pair of pink stone earrings, 1962
Image of Musical group from Frederick & Nelson, circa 1926
Image of Navy blue walking shoes, ca. 1962
Image of Excavation for the new Bon Marche store, circa 1928
Image of Wicker crib, 1916
Image of Rhodes residence, Seattle, circa 1928
Image of The Bon Marché Christmas buttons, ca. 1950
Image of Bon Marche, Seattle, November 13, 1928
Image of Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) souvenir teapot made for The Bon Marché, 1909
Image of Rhodes department store interior, Seattle, circa 1927
Image of Black and white leather gloves sold at MacDougall & Southwick in Seattle, ca. 1910-1950
Image of Pipe organ at Rhodes Department Store, Seattle, circa 1927
Image of White kid leather high-top boots, ca. 1915-1919
Image of MacDougall & Southwick, Seattle, circa 1929
Image of Black kid leather boots, ca. 1910
Image of First Avenue and Spring Street, Seattle, circa 1911
Image of Hairpins sold for 25 cents at The Bon Marché in Seattle, ca. 1930s
Image of Bon Marche delivery wagon, Seattle, 1911
Image of Chiffon and taffeta dress from MacDougall & Southwick, ca. 1915
Image of Frederick & Nelson, circa 1910
Image of Peach satin pumps, 1920s-1930s
Image of Pike Place Market, Seattle, circa 1912
Image of Hand-pumping vacuum cleaner, ca. 1890-1901
Image of The intersection of Fourth and Westlake Avenues, circa 1909
Image of Beige high-top leather boots, ca. 1900-1910
Image of Bon Marche, Seattle, circa 1911
Image of Rose pink cloche sold at MacDougall & Southwick in Seattle, 1920s
Image of Bon Marche children's room, circa 1914
Image of World War II Coast Guard (SPAR) uniform, ca. 1940
Image of Arcade Building, Seattle, circa 1913
Image of High-laced black kid leather walking boots, 1916
Image of Travelers on the Bothell stage, circa 1913
Image of Gray and white striped denim dress, worn by Olive Smith, 1950s
Image of Second Avenue north from Yesler Way, Seattle, 1916
Image of Leather jumper, worn by Olive Smith, 1960s
Image of View northwest from Smith Tower, Seattle, 1916
Image of Bottle of French perfume purchased at Frederick & Nelson in 1919
Image of The Bon Marche, circa 1916
Image of Navy blue pumps, ca. 1938
Image of Bon Marche Santa Claus, 1918
Image of Pair of sandal pumps, ca. 1948
Image of Frederick & Nelson window titled,
Image of Pair of gray lizard skin pumps, ca. 1950
Image of Indigenous family selling baskets in downtown Seattle, circa 1912
Image of Pair of suede casual lace-up shoes, ca. 1950
Image of Pair of black pumps with gold cording, ca. 1945
Image of Pair of suede casual flats, early 1960s
Image of Hula hoop champion Janet Davis, Seattle, October 4, 1958
Image of Dark blue leather sling back pumps, 1960
Image of Fred Anderson, Paul Horiuchi, Alden Mason, and Ambrose Patterson, Seattle, October 14, 1955
Image of Shiny pink heeled sandals, ca. 1960
Image of War bonds sign and flag at Frederick & Nelson, Seattle, circa 1943
Image of Open-toed pumps, ca. 1960
Image of Julia Child signing her book at Frederick & Nelson, Seattle, circa 1971
Image of Red velvet pumps, ca. 1960
Image of James Beard cooking demonstration at Frederick & Nelson, October 21, 1972
Image of Pair of green cobra leather flats, ca. 1961
Image of Back to School fashion show program, Seattle, Fall 1971
Image of Pair of pink bedazzled mules, 1962
Image of Imports fashion show program, Seattle, 1954
Image of Aqua blue pumps, ca. 1965
Image of International Fashion Show, Seattle, 1977
Image of Pair of light blue leather mules, ca. 1965
Image of Symphoneve Americana fashion show program, Seattle, October 22, 1959
Image of Evening gown with taffeta bow from Frederick & Nelson, ca. 1955
Image of International Fashion Show program, Seattle, 1983
Image of Frango boxes for various flavors, 8 oz. size, ca. 1990
Image of Imports fashion show program, Seattle, 1958
Image of Marshall Field's Frango Mint Chocolates tuxedo design box, ca. 1984
Image of Shape the Future fashion show schedule, Seattle, 1990
Image of Wooden nutcracker soldier from Frederick & Nelson, ca. 1980s
Image of Import Copies fashion show program, Seattle, 1960
Image of Hat stretcher from Frederick & Nelson, ca. 1920-1960
Image of Hatmaking conformateur and formillian from Frederick & Nelson, 1899-1900
Image of Shoe stretcher used at Frederick & Nelson shoe department, ca. 1920s
Image of Silver candy dish, used at Frederick & Nelson, ca. 1950
Image of Set of four silver vases used at Frederick & Nelson department store, ca. 1950
Image of Bracelet, 1960s
Image of Turquoise pumps, ca. 1956
Image of Jamacas Rum Frango container, ca. 1950s
Image of Silk cocktail dress designed by Emilio Pucci, ca. 1970s
Image of Pair of green satin heels, ca. 1970s
Image of Fashion show at Frederick & Nelson store, Seattle, circa 1950
Image of Building plaque for The Bon Marché, ca. 1929
Image of Fashion show at Frederick & Nelson store, Seattle, circa 1950
Image of Woman's wool bathing suit, ca. 1925
Image of Round box for Almond Frangos, ca. 1980s
Image of Round box for Mokas Coffee Frangos, ca. 1980s
Image of Long green Oscar de la Renta dress, ca. 1970
Image of Paula Hance straightening Frangos on assembly line, Seattle, January 26, 1990
Image of Green satin sheath dress, ca. 1968
Image of Frederick & Nelson, Seattle, circa 1918
Image of Collection of nine swizzle sticks from various restaurants, hotels, and businesses in the Seattle area, ca. 1930-1970
Image of Retailers manning booth at Pure Food Show, Seattle, February 19, 1908
Image of Small box of guest soaps from Frederick & Nelson, Seattle, 1950s
Image of Television personalities at the Bon Marché, Seattle, circa 1950
Image of Matchbook from Frederick & Nelson, ca. 1950
Image of Colleen Moore's Doll House at Frederick & Nelson exhibit poster, Seattle, August 14-28, 1937
Image of Pair of rhinestone shoe clips, 1910s
Image of The Bon Marche March and Two Step, 1904
Image of Green dress and jacket from The Bon Marché, 1960s
Image of On the Shores of Puget Sound
Image of Plush Frederick & Nelson Christmas Freddy Bear and Nell with original tag, ca. 1985
Image of Illustration of Toklas, Singerman & Co. building, Seattle, circa 1890
Image of Black velvet suit, ca. 1970s
Image of Toklas, Singerman & Co. employees posing, Seattle, circa 1890
Image of Black dress ensemble, worn by Louise McKinney, 1961
Image of Exterior of post-fire location of Toklas, Singerman & Co., Seattle, circa 1890
Image of Cash register credit card sign plate from Pay 'n Save, ca. 1975
Image of Toklas, Singerman & Co. baseball team, Seattle, 1892
Image of Frederick & Nelson price gun, 1977
Image of Shoppers buying stockings at Frederick & Nelson, November 3, 1945
Image of Black hat with side bow from The Bon Marché, 1950s
Image of Woman spinning in Swedish Folk Art exhibition, February 1937
Image of Blue-gray hat from The Bon Marché by
Image of View of Third Avenue from Bon Marche sky bridge, Seattle, 1960
Image of Charga-Plate credit card for The Bon Marché department store, ca. 1940
Image of Rhodes Department Store shopping bag, Seattle, ca. 1960s
Image of The Bon Marché shopping bag, Seattle, ca. 1960s
Image of Frederick & Nelson shopping bag, Seattle, ca. 1960s
Image of The Bon Marché shopping bag, Seattle, ca. 1980s
Image of Frederick & Nelson shopping bag for
Image of Salt and pepper shaker set from the Frederick & Nelson dining room, ca. 1960
Image of Frederick & Nelson credit card, ca. 1980s
Image of Black dress and jacket ensemble from The Bon Marché, ca. 1971
Image of Charga-plate from Rhodes Department Store, ca. 1950s
Image of Set of 12 ice cream forks from Frederick & Nelson Department Store, 1917
Image of Freddy Bear & Nell plush toy from Frederick & Nelson, 1987
Image of Short denim dress with zippers, 1980s
Image of Black and gold evening suit, ca. 1988-1992
Image of Bissell's Parlor Queen vacuum cleaner from Frederick & Nelson, ca. 1930

Land Acknowledgement

MOHAI stands on the historic and contemporary lands and shores of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Muckleshoot, and other Coast Salish Nations. We acknowledge the forced displacement of Native Communities from this land while honoring the endurance of the Duwamish people who still live here.
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