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The White House (Laramie, Wyo.) Records, 1911-1919

Overview of the Collection

Creator
The White House (Laramie, Wyo.)
Title
The White House (Laramie, Wyo.) Records
Dates
1911-1919 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.6 cubic ft. (3 document boxes, 1 slim document box)
Collection Number
11394
Summary
Partial set of business records of this dry goods, clothing, and shoe store located on 2nd Street, in downtown Laramie, Wyoming, from 1904 to 1927.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
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Historical Note

The White House dry goods, clothing, and shoe store was located on the northwest corner of Second and Grand streets in Laramie, Wyoming, from 1904 to 1927. The store closed in August 1927, when its proprietor, Charles E. Blair, sold his stock and building to J. C. Penney.

Charles E. Blair was born in Ohio in 1871. He taught school there and worked as a salesman before moving to Denver, Colorado, for his health in 1892. He came to Laramie in 1896 as an employee of A. E. Miller until 1901 and was then employed by W. H. Frazee from 1901 to 1904. Blair opened his White House dry goods store in 1904. He was a member of the Albany County Commissioners from 1909 to 1913 and became mayor of Laramie in 1926. His home at 170 N. 5th Street was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

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Content Description

The White House Records consist of a partial set of business files kept during the middle years of the store’s operations and provide a snapshot of retailing in Laramie during World War I. They contain mostly correspondence with vendors and customers. The vendor files contain price lists, orders, billing statements, yarn and fabric swatches and color cards, wholesale dealers’ sales flyers with detailed descriptions of products and prices, and ad campaign suggestions. The customer correspondence files contain letters from people all over the region ordering items on account, to be sent by mail or stage. These letters describe items requested or sizes needed and describe how and when they would be paid for. Letters of apology explain to Blair the reasons why an account has not been paid, usually due to lack of work or illness or just plain hard times.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, The White House (Laramie, Wyo.) Records, 1911-1919, Collection Number 11394, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no other known archival collections created by The White House (Laramie, Wyo.) store or Charles E. Blair as of the date of processing. Photographs of The White House can be found in the Ludwig-Svenson Studio Collection, Collection Number 00167, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

Ronda Frazier donated the White House Records to the American Heritage Center in January 2004.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Ronda Frazier in July 2004.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Retail trade--Wyoming.
  • Stores, Retail--Wyoming--Laramie.

Geographical Names

  • Laramie (Wyo.)

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Blair, Charles E., 1871-

Processed by Ronda Frazier
2006

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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