The Washington herald., 1907-09-01

Woodward & Lothrop's store, commonly
known as the Boston Store, is one Of
the great structures OF G street, as well
as one Of the most prominent department
stores In Washington. II occupies nearly
the entire square bounded by Tenth,
Eleventh, F, and G streets. The @ street
side is by far the most imposing. where
about one-half of the space covered is a !
new structure. standing upon the former
site of the ST. Vincenfs Orphan Asylum.
Mr.. Lothrop recently. in commenting
upon the choice Of the site for the store,
now about twenty years ago, said that ne
and his partner. Mr.. Woodward, found
II impracticable to secure the accommo-
daSons they needed on Pennsylvania ave
nue.. He added that In their belief F
street, between the Patent Office and the
Treasury, seemed then the most desirable
business thoroughfare of Washington.
Since then he said, their representations
had been more than fulfilled. for not only
has + street grown immensely. but has
oyerfiowed into street. so that ii is
difficult now to tell which will lead the
other in the years to come. Furthermore,
be said, they seemed TO have located
right at the center Of things, CONNER
cially speaking. and they had seen grow
UP around them business houses OF every
description.
Sought Another Location.
Mr.. Lothrop said they at first decided
TO locate on the northeast corner OF Thir-
teenth and T streets, but were unable to
obtain the site they required from the
Thorne property adjoining the corner.
The delay that ensued spurred the late
Calderon Carlisle 10 offer 20 build FOR
them on the northeast corner Of Eleventh
and streets Mr.. Lothrop said they
had a good many well wishers. who
were certain they had made a vast mis-
take In moving away from the business
center on Pennsylvania avenue. but such
persons. he said. have all disappeared.
he thought nobody then fully appreciated
the tendency of business to push uptown,
which It has since done. OF course, Mr..
LOthrOp is satisfied that events have
proved the wisdom OF their choice.
From the small beginning at the corner
OF Eleventh and + STREETS. the store has
grown by accretion, purchase. and re-
building until it occupies the dimensions
noted The store is large. substantial,
well arranged for the purposes Of trade.
and long ago became one Of the sights
toward which tourists in Washington
vend their way. alike for the purpose OF
inspection, and for their necessary shop
ping
The new portion OF the store on the G
street side is eight stories high, fire-prOOf.
! and in planning the structure and accom-
modaung Il 20 the purposes Of merchan-
disc. not a square foot OF space IS wasted,
after providing for cases, counters, dis
play windows, and broad and ample
aisIes for patrons.
Personality of the Partners.
Not more interesting is the big depart
ment store over which they preside than
is the personality Of the men who have
created the business and carried It for
ward TO such large success.
s. W. Woodward. senior partner in the
company, Is a native Of Maine. He was
born in Damariscotta, Lincoln County.
about fifty-five years ago. His first ven
ture IN business was with Cushing &
Ames. dry goods merchants of Boston.
his life work with characteristic energy
and with the large hopes and ambitions
of youth. He quickly learned the details
of the dry goods trade, as it was then
| in the center Of New England. While
with the Boston firm he received several
merited promotions and became an infiu-
entail factor in their large and increasing
trade
About 1873 be formed a partnership with
Alvin NJ Lothrop, vino joined the forces
of Cushing & Ames in 1870. The two
young men had formed a close friendship.
and they graduated from the Boston bust
ness TO set up for themselves. at Chelsea,
Mass. under the name which the COM
pany still bears. In seven years they
built up a large business, but soon ar
rived at the conclusion that Chelsea did
not offer a large enough field to satisfy
| their ambition. Their attention was di-
! rected toward the South as an inviting
| field for merchandise. They came to
WASHINGTON and formed the nucleus Of
the present large department store. The
| firm first located at 7O5 Market Space.
Later they secured larger quarters at 92l
Pennsylvania avenue. and in 1887 estab-
| lished their store upon its present site
Mr.. Woodward Does Things.
Mr.. Woodward is an excellent example
of the active and forceful American. He
has large ambitions, large capacity. and
large charity. He does things as well as
to plan them. He once said that every
minute Of his time was demanded by the
details of business at his Office, yet he
finds time to be one of the most promI-
nent charity managers Of the city. He
| has long been president of the Young
Mems Christian Association. and has
given much time and attention to the
working out of the big problems there.
| Some of his time is also given to educa-
tional work, and he is identified with
many of the financial institutions of the
/ capital. He IS a consistent member Of the
| Calvary Baptist Church and regular at
tendant upon the meetings OF the South
ern Baptist convention, where he is one of
the forces of the denomination.
Alvin NJ. Lothrop. junior partner. is a
native of Massachusetts,, having been
| born at Acton, July 3, 1877 AS stated. he
entered mercantile life in the store of
| Cushing & Ames, in Boston. and since
| 1873 his career has been associated at
every step with that of Mr.. Woodward
Mr. Lothrop is large and foreeful man,
true yolk-fellow of his partner. and dur
| ing the years of their association together
| has been abreast of him in business life
as In every good work. Mr.. LothrOp is a
CONSTANT churchman, being a member OF
the First Congregational Church, a men,
Der and active worker in the Young Mems
Christian Association, a distinguished Ma
son, and he is affiliated with many of the
business affairs Of the city. He is a men,
Der of the Board of Trade, and has de-
voted some of his time for several years
to the affairs of the National Geographic
| Society. He Is a member Of the Sons Of
-. Ia-....I..aI-... -