Jordan Marsh

Boston, Massachusetts

Exterior of the former flagship store in Downtown Crossing

Circa 1950

Jordan Marsh was an American department store chain founded in 1841 by Eben Dyer Jordan and Benjamin L. Marsh.  It was headquartered in Boston and operated throughout New England.  The destruction of the historical flagship store on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing, built in 1861 and demolished in 1975, contributed to the creation of the Boston Landmarks Commission.  The suburban store at Shopper's World in Framingham built in 1951 and replaced in 1993, was a local landmark because of its large exterior dome. 

Allied Stores (1935-1992) opened the first Jordan Marsh in Florida on Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami in 1956.  It competed with Burdines in this market and was comparatively more upmarket than local competition.  The regional flagship in Miami, advertised as "the store with everything, with a Florida flair", featuring a swimming pool and boating dock to attract affluent customers.  Allied operated the Jordan Marsh Florida division separately from the New England stores and it expanded to 13 stores in the Sunshine State.

Exterior of the former Jordan Marsh store at the Palm Beach Mall

West Palm Beach, Florida

Circa 1971

Eventually, Jordan Marsh was converted to Burdines in 1991 and Federated Department Stores dissolved Jordan Marsh and converted stores to Macy's in 1996.

The Enchanted Village

From the 1940s until 1972 and again in the early 1990s, Jordan Marsh's flagship store in Downtown Crossing in Boston was home to The Enchanted Village, a lavish Christmas display which at its height consumed an entire floor of the department store and was spotlighted in the store's display windows. The display's centerpiece, besides Santa Claus was an eight-set Lionel electric train display.  This train display featured a large vintage-style train which is a staple of the holiday exhibit.  It included the traditional Lionel electric trains operating within the restored display.  

Christmas train layout at Jordan Marsh 

Circa 1957

Fifth Floor Annex was the toy department with the Lionel/American Flyer train layouts.  Always packed with kids and parents during the holiday season beginning at Thanksgiving for all ages.  It was "New England's Largest Toy Store."

"Jordan Marsh's Enchanted Village is an old Boston tradition.  Do you remember the excitement of riding the train into town and the anticipation for this annual event?  In the 1950s and 1960s, going to the Village was something everyone did, and of course, there was some last-minute shopping involved in hopes of picking up a box of Jordan Marsh's blueberry muffins from the bakery in the Annex!"

In what started as a marketing gimmick, Enchanted Village quickly became a legendary Boston tradition and an annual mainstay of the city's holiday season. It originally appeared at the Jordan Marsh in downtown Boston starting in 1958, featuring intricate, bustling scenes with moving figures, teddy bears, Christmas characters and wintery, holiday-themed landscapes.  It was a nostaligic experience that transformed a department store floor into a magical, animated storybook town. Many nostalgic New Englanders enjoyed it during the Christmas season. 

In 1998, Macy's discontinued The Enchanted Village when it moved to City Hall Plaza.  On June 16, 2009 The Enchanted Village, including all its props and figures was sold at auction to Jordan's Furniture in Avon, Massachusetts located at 100 Stockwell Drive after the City of Boston said it no longer could afford to sponsor the annual event.  Jordan's Furniture restored the surviving pieces in 2009 and continues to display the village to this day.

Eliot Tatelman is the co-founder and retired president of New England furniture retailer, Jordan's Furniture.  Since 2009, the chain's Avon location has served as home to The Enchanted Village, a walk-through Christmas exhibit allowing patrons to re-live The Enchanted Village when it was enjoyed by Filene's patrons for many years.

 

 

What it takes to be part of Punxsutawney Phil's Inner Circle

A. J. Dereume, Phil's Handler

My dad was in the club, my grandfather was in the club and so I got lucky enough to be around a lot.  Someone's going to have to do it and I didn't know if I had the time as it's a lifetime appointment.

A. J. Dereume

Gearing up for Groundhogs Day is no easy task and it takes dedication and commitment to become a member of Phil's Inner Circle.  The Inner Circle members are appointed for a lifetime or until they choose to not be in the club anymore.  To become a member, one must prove their passion for Punxsutawney through promotion and service. After being appointed, members work 364 days to prepare for the one big day where Phil makes an appearance.  

Gearing up for Groundhog day and throwing one of the greatest parties on the planet is a lot of work.

Thomas Dunkel, president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club

Some of the Inner Circle members come from a long line of members.  Dunkel has been a member for 12 years and his father was also in the Inner Circle. The hard work that is put in is rewarded with one special moment every February 2nd and the Inner Circle is always pleased with the crowd and their energy on that day.

 

Punxsutawney Phil

He saw his shadow therefore .. six more weeks of winter!

The 140th Year

This is no ordinary morning.  Across these hills a legend stirs.  Punxsutawney is awake, united, waiting.  Because today isn't just about a forecast it's about the spirit of a town that believes in the impossible.  It's a tradition older than most can remember. A promise kept for generations.  Groundhog Day is not just about a day .. it's a heartbeat.  It's an unbroken chain of joy, laughter and hope.  A little town on the map with a mighty story. And at the center of it all .. one mysterious, magical  groundhog .. Punxsutawney Phil, the Seer of Seers who carries with him the weight of winter, the promise of Spring.  Through snow, through sun, through rain we gather, we believe because Punxsutawney isn't just a place, its an idea.   A belief that even in the heart of winter there is a light that guides us forth.  

Today is our day, the day we show the world that a little magic, a little tradition and a whole lot of heart can bring hope to even the darkest mornings.

 

Punxsutawney .. Dawn is Coming!  

AND WE ARE READY!

Indeed .. a little town on the map with a mighty story!

Groundhog Day is a tradition brought to the United States by European settlers, with the first official event in 1886. According to legend, Punxsutawney Phil is over 100 years old kept immortal by a special "groundhog punch".   In Punxsutawney, 1886 marked the first time Groundhog Day appeared in the local newspaper.  The following year brought the first official trek to Gobbler's Knob.  Each year since then has seen a steady increase in participation of the celebration from people all over the world. 

Groundhog Day Where Legends Wake 

Produced February 3, 2025 and narrated by a voice that captures the anticipation of the annual Punxsutawney Phil tradition.  The video sets the scene for the event, highlighting the magic and tradition of the morning.

 

"I Can Feel It Comin' in the Air Tonight."

sung by Phil Collins 

"Groundhog Day isn't just a day ... it's a heartbeat".

Punxsutawney Phil

 

Filene's was an American department store chain founded in 1881 by William Filene. The building, completed in 1912, was designed by renowned architect Daniel Burnham and is a protected Boston Landmark. The historic Filene's Department Store in the Downtown Crossing district of Boston housed the flagship store and headquarters while branch stores operated throughout New England and New York.  Filene's was a founding member of the Federated Department Stores holding company in 1929.  

Starting in 1947, the Boston flagship store held an annual one-day bridal gown sale.  In 1997, the sale was the subject of a study by two marketing professors at Bentley College.  In 2008, after the flagship store had closed, the bridal event moved to the Hynes Convention Center.  

Founded in 1909 and one of the oldest off-price retailers in the United States, Filene's Basement focused on high-end goods and was known for its distinctive, low-technology Automatic Markdown System.  The history of Filene's Basement is intervwined with that of the venerable Filene's chain.  In 1908, Edward A. Filene, son of the founder came up with the idea of selling surplus, overstock and closeout merchandise in the basement of his father's store.  Filene's "Automatic Bargain Basement", as it was originally called opened in 1909 beneath the Downtown Crossing location. The Automatic Markdown System was famous for its strict markdown schedule.  Prices dropped by 25% after 12 ays, 50% after 18 days, 75% after 24 days and any unsold items were donated to charity after 30 days. 

Filene's Basement was sold to Syms Corporation.  In  November 2011, Syms filed for bankruptcy, resulting in a liquidation sale.  The last Filene's Basement stores closed permanently on December 29, 2011. In the fall of 2015, Filene's Basement was reopened exclusively as an online retailer.

There was no other retail experience like it! The bins heaped with piles of clothes.  The shoppers in such a frenzy that they ignored the dressing room and stripped right in the aisles!  

"No one used a fitting room."

Shopping there was a game of strategy.  Anything that hadn't sold after two weeks dropped in price by 25 percent, after three weeks by 50 percent and after four weeks by 75 percent.  After that, it went to charity.  So shoppers held off buying certain things in hopes that the price would drop.  Then, if they came back and couldn't find it they'd be horrified when it was gone.  Many customers tried to hide merchandise to prevent other shoppers from finding and buying it.  Other customers wanted their items immediately.  They'd actually fight over them!

"Running of the Brides!"

Women would travel hundreds of miles, camp out overnight and wake up ready to sprint!  This isn't the running of the bulls, it's Filene's famous Basement "Running of the Brides!"  

Each year, thousands of brides-to-be would line up for their chance to find wedding gowns at thousands of dollars off the resale price.  Years ago Carson Kressley, fashion designer, traveled to Boston to check in with all of the women lined up the night before the event.  Several of the brides talked strategy with Carson.  Grab as many gowns as you can carry, guard what you have and trade until you find the perfect fit.  "It's sort of like baseball cards for girls"  For example, a woman named Kathryn picks a winner after two and a half hours and a dozen dresses.  It was a strapless Reem Acra 5th Avenue gown that would have cost $5,000 to $6,000 though Kathryn got it for just $699.

Carson Kressley, fashion designer and actor visited the Filene's Basement "Running of the Brides" event on August 20, 2010 in Boston.  

Carson and a prospective bride-to-be.

The search in on!

Exhausted!

Guarding her haul!

The Meeting Point

This ornate outdoor clock at the corner of Washington and Summer Streests served as the city's most popular rendezvous spot for decadesl 

Filene's Famous Clock

August 26, 2013

The Carillon Bells at Filene's 

Downtown Crossing

Boston, Massachusetts

Filene's at Christmas

Circa 1954

Filene's Department Store, particularly its historic Boston location, featured a distinctive four-bell carillon clock built by the Howard Clock Company, a beloved landmark that chimed the hours, adding to the store's legacy and unique atmosphere for shoppers, highlighting the historical grandeur of Filene's.  The bells themselves varied in age, with some newer with one large bell cast in 1942 and others cast, in Holland, later.

Filene's was possibly the only department store known to have its own set of bells that chimed the hour.  The building had what was called a Beaux Arts facade. 

Boston's Great Specialty Store

Entrance to World Famous Filene's Automatic Markdown Basement Store

In the original Filene's Basement, there were no private stalls.  Shoppers famously tried on clothes in the aisles or in large communal spaces, a shared "rite of passage" for many Bostonians. 

Filene's Basement was the best. It offered Brooks Brothers suits for men and Christian Dior apparel for women.

Men's Suits

$11.00

Notice no escalator only stairs and elevators.

Outside Filene's

Circa 1950s

For those who remember Filene's it was a major Boston landmark. It was a Boston institution though today the space has been redeveloped into offices yet fond memories of Filene's and its basement persist for many Bostonians, today.

People remember the frenzy of digging through piles of clothes, the "no fitting room" culture and incredible deals on designer goods or even disaster-affected items like Neiman Marcus fire sale goods! Shoppers often remember the "hunt", finding high-end designers like Chanel or Valentino tucked into overcrowded racks regarded as "hidden gems".

The End of an Era

The main store closed in 2006 and Filene's Basement closed in 2007, making way for new development, leaving many nostalgic for the classic retail experience. The reason why people miss it is because of its unique culture (the chaotic, treasure-hunt atmosphere was unlike any other store). It was all about unbeatable deals because it was a prime spot for finding high-end clothing at rock-bottom prices. Filene's was a quintessential part of Boston's retail history, alongside rivals like Jordan Marsh, at the time.

For those looking to relive these experiences, the documentary "Voices from the Basement aired on WGBH captures stories from longtime shoppers, staff and even the Mayor of Boston at the time!

Mayor Thomas M. Menino

 

 

Cincinnati Union Terminal

1301 Western Avenue

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati Union Terminal is an intercity Art Deco train station and museum center in the Queensgate neighborhood of Cincinnati.  The terminal is served by Amtrak's Cardinal line, passing through Cincinnati three times weekly.  It originally had 8 side platforms though now only 1 with 2 tracks though originally 16 tracks. 

After a limited architectural competition, the firm of Fellheimer & Wagner was commissioned to design the terminal in June 1928, shortly after completing their work on the Buffalo Central Terminal.  The firm first released plans for the terminal in June 1929. The sketches showed a conservative design, utilizing large Gothic arches, vaulted ceilings and conventional benches in long rows.  The originally proposed shape of the rotunda and concourse were the same as the finished product, though the details of the design more closely resembled the Buffalo Central Terminal. The building was then estimated to cost $8 million with the total project costing $40.6 million. 

The Cincinnati Union Terminal was built from 1928-1933 opening March 19, 1933 and closed October 29, 1972.  A two-year, $228 million renovation was completed in 2018.  

It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places October 31, 1972.

Its Art Deco design incorporates several works of art including a set of sixteen mosaic murals depicting Cincinnati industry commissioned for the terminal in 1931.  The main space in the facility, the Rotunda, has two enormous mosaic murals designed by German-born American artist and graphic designer, Winold Reiss.  Taxi and bus driveways leading to and from the Rotunda are now used as museum space.  The now-demolished train concourse held all 16 of Reiss' industrial murals along with other art and Art Deco design features.  

 

The Chicago Theatre

175 North State Street

Chicago, Illinois

Circa 1927

Seven uniformed ushers at the Chicago Theatre.

The grand lobby with its Tiffany stained-glass curved window modeled after the Royal Chapel at Versailles, is five stories high and surrounded by gallery promenades at the mezzanine and balcony levels.  Stained glass was a common, extravagant element in these "movie palaces", suggesting the lobby window was integral to its intended grandeur.

The grand staircase is patterned after that of the Paris Opera House and ascends to the various levels of the Great Balcony. 

The Chicago Theatre, originally known as the Balaban and Katz Chicago Theatre Corporation with a seating capacity of 3,600 is a theatre seven stories high, more than one half of a city block wide and nearly as long in the loop area of the city.  The vertical sign 

C-H-I-C-A-G-O, at nearly six stories high, is one of the few such signs in existence today.  A symbol of State Street and Chicago, the sign and marquee are landmarks in themselves as is the original 1921 29-rank Opus 434 Wurlitzer pipe organ. 

Organ console was painted white prior to an overhaul in 1985.

The grandeur of the Chicago Theatre often leaves its visitors breathless.  The elegant lobby, majestic staircase and beautiful auditorium complete with murals above the stage and on the ceiling, are components of an amazing building called "the Wonder Theatre of the World" when it opened October 26, 1921 with Norma Talmadge on screen in "The Sign on the Door."  A 50-piece orchestra performed in the orchestra pit and Jesse Crawford (1895-1962) played the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ.  After a "white glove inspection," a staff of 125 ushers welcomed guests who paid 25 cents until 1 p.m., 35 cents in the afternoon and 50 cents after 6 p.m.

The Chicago Theatre was the first large, lavish movie palace in America and was the prototype for all others.  This beautiful movie palace was constructed for $4 million by theatre owners, Barney and Abe J. Balaban, his brother-in-law, Sam Katz and Morris Katz. It was designed by architects, C. W. (Cornelius Ward) Rapp, George L. Rapp and Mason G. Rapp.  It was the flagship of the Balaban and Katz theatre chain. Attention was given to a visitor's total experience, from the moment a patron walked through the front door until they sat down in their seat. 

Built in French Baroque style, the Chicago Theatre's exterior features a miniature replica of Paris' Arc de Triomphe, sculpted above its State Street marquee. Faced in a glazed, off-white terra cotta, the triumphal arch is sixty feet wide and six stories high.  Within the arch is a grand window in which is set a large circular stained-glass panel bearing the corporate emblem/coat-of-arms of the Balaban and Katz chain which are two horses holding ribbons of 35-mm film in their mouths.  

If you find yourself in Chicago, guided, behind-the-scenes tours are offered for this iconic landmark.  The tour takes you through the theatre's history and architectural highlights, from its inception in 1921 to its present-day role as an entertainment venue.  Included in the behind-the-scenes tours are the backstage areas, dressing rooms and seeing backstage artist signatures including those from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Dolly Parton. The tour is approximately 60-75 minutes long and may sell out subject to availability.