Beginning of a Skyscraper, Macy’s, Herald Square 1902

Photographed January 18, 1902. American Mutoscope and Biograph Co. Camera: Robert K. Bonine This film shows the construction for the foundation of Macy’s department store on Broadway between 34th and 35th Streets (Herald Square) in Manhattan. The building was erected 1901-1902 by De Lemos & Cordes. Successive additions were made in 1924, 1928, and 1931, all by Robert D. Kohn. Prior to moving to this location, Macy’s was first located on the SE corner of Sixth Avenue and 14th Street, and later, 18th Street. Before he entered the dry goods business, Rowland Hussey Macy (1822-1877) was a citizen of Nantucket, Mass., where, at the age of fifteen he worked as a seaman aboard the whaling ship ‘Emily Morgan.’ Sometime in the 1850s, after a period of apprenticeship he established four dry goods stores all of which failed. Undeterred he moved to New York in 1858 where he opened his fifth venture in retail to great success earning .06 the first day. The red star that has since become Macy’s trademark insignia was based on a red five-pointed star tattoo RH Macy had done while a seaman. Source: www.forgotten-ny.com
Video Rating: 5 / 5