Boston Gilded Age Department Stores by Linda Hoover

Downtown Crossing is at the intersection of Washington, Winter and Summer Streets in Boston. In the Gilded Age, that’s where you’d find the Big Three department stores, Jordan Marsh, Filene’s and Gilchrist’s. Today, it’s a pedestrian shopping zone.

Jordan Marsh 1891 Public Domain

In 1861, Eben Dyer Jordan and Benjamin L. Marsh opened the first departmentalized store in Boston, MA. They called it Jordan Marsh, then later Jordan Marsh & Co. No longer did shoppers have to travel from one specialty shop to the next. Almost everything they could want was for sale in one place. The two men initially focused on dry goods, ready-made clothing, and household goods. As they grew, they added more departments until they had a dazzling array of stock that included men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, furs, carpets and rugs, furniture, silverware, jewelry, hats, shoes, books, toys, stationary and more. If it could be sold, it was offered. Jordan Jr. became known for searching the world for merchandise to fill the eight floors of the store.

Shoppers at Jordan Marsh, 1910
thedepartmentstoremuseum.org/store-eh-ma-bos-jordon-marsh

Jordan and Marsh combined an elegant atmosphere with excellent personal service. They pioneered services such as offering credit accounts and money-back guarantees. “The Customer is Always Right” policy originated there. As time went on, Jordan Marsh was one of the first to have electric lights, glass showcases and elevators in their store. They also offered fashion shows, art exhibitions, and afternoon concerts. A café and bakery were available, where you could purchase their famous blueberry muffins.

Filene's Department Store 1912 Public Domain

Edward Filene opened his first store a year later than Jordan Marsh. By 1881, he and his sons had a wide variety of merchandise, while also offering personal services. They had three barber shops, hairdressing, manicuring and shoe shine departments. All with a No Tipping policy. You could even buy theater and travel tickets. Filene's is most famous for its Bargain Basement

Gilchrist Department Store Public Domain

Gilchrist, while having a wide variety of merchandise in its multi-level store, wasn’t considered as high-end as its neighbors. It did just as well, though. While people went to Jordan Marsh for blueberry muffins, they went to Gilchrist’s for almond macaroons. Kennedy’s and Raymond’s were also in Boston. Each store had a signature dish or dessert that people would go to their restaurant for. Between 1880 and 1900, the stores began using their street-level windows to entice people to come inside. It must have been especially beautiful at Christmas.

commonswikimedia.org

People used different modes of transportation to get to downtown Boston. Besides walking, horse-drawn trams with their clanging bells brought people from inner neighborhoods and nearby towns. Electric streetcars started becoming available in the 1880s, but horses were still used until 1900. The “EL”, elevated railway, started taking passengers over congested streets in the 1870s. It was noisy, but connected more distant neighborhoods. The Tremont Street subway opened in 1897. It was the first subway in America.

The department stores served shopping and entertainment needs for people of all economic levels. They were also an employment opportunity. The heroine in my novella set in 1881 Boston, Joel & Ella, finds work at a department store based on Jordan Marsh. If you’d like to read Ella’s story, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Joel & Ella is my gift to subscribers. Link is with the blurb.

Follow this link to get the recipe: https://newengland.com/food/breads/jordan-marsh-blueberry-muffins/

JOEL & ELLA

1881 Boston. It’s been a year since Ella's fiancé left town on the eve of their wedding, and she still can’t bring herself to go to church or see her friends. To help her move past her hurt, her parents insist she get a job. In the process, she gets reacquainted with Joel, a neighbor who accompanies her on the trolley to and from the large department store where she finds work. They enjoy each other’s company, and Joel begins to think they might share a future.

 

Then, Ella’s ex-fiancé returns, asking for a second chance. He’s already broken her heart once. Can she trust him? Does she still love him? Her feelings for Joel pull her in another direction. Or maybe she should stay away from any man so she won’t get hurt again. Mama advises her to pray. Will Ella look to God for her answer or turn away from both men to avoid heartache?

https://lindahooverbooks.com

Linda, a retired librarian, lives in west central Ohio with her husband and grandson. An avid reader and writer since childhood, she began her publishing career writing columns and a middle-grade serial for the South Charleston Spectator. Her desire is to entertain, but more importantly, to encourage readers with God’s faithfulness.

References, Further Reading, & External Links for Jordan Marsh: wikipedia.org/wiki/jordan_marsh