John W. Nordstrom immigrated from Sweden in 1887 and joined the Klondike Gold Rush ten years later. After earning a healthy profit from his claim in Alaska, Nordstrom returned to Seattle eager to invest his money. He reunited with Carl Wallin, a friend from his Alaska days who owned a shoe-repair shop in downtown Seattle. In 1901, they opened Wallin & Nordstrom, a small downtown shoe store and the humble beginning of what was to become Nordstrom, Inc.

This photo is included in an album titled "The Swedes' Life and Work in the State of Washington" which was acquired by the Swedish Club of Seattle.

Some of the photos in the album are signed Nordlands Foto Company, K.E. Nordland owner, 1707 Market Street, Ballard.