The Press., 1922-03-02
FORBES < WALLACE WEARS THE
 HALF CENTURY MILESTONE Celebrating 4Sth Anniversary This WonE


 Measuring up to Springfeld's high ideals, the Forbes & Wallace store, which this week is celebrating its 48th anniversary, stands prominently in public regard and it's attainment of IS years of. service therefore is a matter of widespread public interest, especially significant to those Spring field residents who are able to re- count it's progress from the earliest days of the store, back ill 1874.
 The store opened in little red brick building at the corner of Main and Vernon streets which has served as the cornerstone to the great modern, store of to-day, repre- senting a continual growth and pro gressiveness of exceptional impor- rance to the community's welfare.
 It was a different Springfield, then, with a population of less than 3O.O0O, but exceptionally energetic and pro- gressive. Main street and Court Square have always been Springfield's civic center of gravity and Main street to-day is the old Main street grown up. Main street in the 70's was a compact section of small stores and offices, a church at one corner, many old low frame buildings, a sprinkling of residences and lace curtained win dOws of dwellings over the ground floor stores. A few great trees re- mained in the business section of Main street, changing it's aspect greatly, and merchants, keen to show their wares hung garments and mer- chandise of all kinds outside their stores here, a stack of trunks, there, a liberal stock of harness, bolts of dress everything entered the sidewalk display.
 Those were days of horse cars which ran only on the main thorough fares of the central districts, running on the tracks in the summer and on runners in the winter as the street car company was not allowed to clear the tracks of snow, inconveniencing sleighs which were very much in evi- dence.
 With the changing of the times, it is a self-evident fact that the Forbes & Wallace institution has been always alert to future possibilities and has in stituted betterments and service al ways a little in advance of existing requirements. It has stood for leader ship which has been outstanding ir the city's development and which is remarkably recorded in the present great eight story store occupying nearly an entire square in the very center of Springf1eld's most valuable and desirable business propertv-s store which ranks among the finesr in the country.
 The art gallery opened during tht past year on the eighth floor may bC considered one of the city's treasures for the exhibit is permanently opened to the public and may he visited dur ing all store hours. The exhibit i! the famous A. B. Wallace collection of paintings and etchings which MT | Wallace has generously turned over tC the enjoyment of all who care t( spend delightful hour or so amOri really fine pictures.
 Many noteworthy paintings by olC masters and the best works of i'm portant contemporary artists are al attraction extremely worth while hu the exhibit of etchings is even nor, noted and has been the object of tn, visits of many prominent art lovers and artists.
 ! The observatory restaurants on thu 8th floor are appreciated far and wid, for the unique opportunity they offel of picturesque panorama of tn, Connecticut valley and the Berk shireS.
 The restaurants, gallery and res rooms occupy the entire eighth foo and these are two of the more evi dent services which this up-to-datt store provides, while other services and accommodations reduce oftentimei wearisome shopping to a pleasure.
 The public observance of the 4Stl anniversary is announced in tremen dous sale for four days only this week commencing Wednesday. The sale il built on a huge scale and is excep tional in all phases-not only tn,