Collection Summary
The White House (Laramie, Wyo.)
The White House (Laramie, Wyo.) Records
1911-1919
11394
1.6
cubic ft. (3 document boxes, 1 slim document box)
University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
English
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.
History of The White House (Laramie, Wyo.)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.
Scope and ContentThe 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.
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes,
and the collection is open to the public.
Copyright Information
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright,
property, and libel laws as they apply.
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
Ronda Frazier donated the White House Records to the American Heritage Center in January 2004.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Ronda Frazier in July 2004.
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.
Access Terms
Blair, Charles E., 1871-
Stores, Retail--Wyoming--Laramie.
Retail trade--Wyoming.
Laramie (Wyo.)
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Business, Industry, Labor, and Commerce
Retail Trade
Container List
Series I. Business Records
1
1
Accounts Payable
1913-1918
Ledger sheets, billing statements, notes
1
2
Accounts Receivable
1911-1918
Ledger sheets, billing statements, carbon copies of sales tickets
1
3
Advertising
1913-1917
Receipts for ads placed, correspondence
1
4
Building Upgrades (Elevator, Hot Water Service)
1914-1918
Correspondence from vendors
1
5
Butterick Pattern Company (Pattern stock controversy with Indiana Retail Dry Goods Association)
1916
1
6-11
Customer Correspondence and Mail Order Requests
1913-1919
1
12
Employee Recommendations
1913-1917
Correspondence with employment agencies
2
1
General Correspondence
1913-1918
2
2
Harper (C.N.) & Company: Merchandise Sales Specialists
1913
Correspondence, agreements
2
3
Merchandise Inventories
1917
2
4
Miscellaneous
1914-1917
2
5
Package Deliveries
1913
Lists of customer deliveries carried out in Laramie, Christmas 1913
2
6
Printed Material
undated
Letterhead and signage paper
2
7
State of the Dry Goods Market
1918
Preprinted articles from the “Dry Goods Economist” about the state of the dry goods industry during wartime
2
8
Store Equipment, Fixtures, and Supplies
1913-1918
Correspondence with vendors
Vendors (Merchandise):
Correspondence, billing statements, order forms, trade advertisements, fliers, and brochures, price lists, fabric swatches and color cards, etc.
2
9
The John Anisfield Company (Cloaks, Suits, and Skirts)
1913-1917
2
10
Aurora Corset Company
1914
2
11
J. O. Ballard & Company (Wool Clothing)
1916-1917
2
12
Bayly-Underhill Manufacturing Company (Men’s Work Garments)
1914-1918
2
13
Beals and Selkirk Trunk Company (Trunks, Bags, and Cases)
1914-1916
2
14
Arthur Beir & Co. (Silks)
1916
2
15
Belleville Shoe Co.
1916
2
16
Frank A. Bradt (Gloves and Mittens)
1914
2
17
Brandegee, Kincaid & Co. (Custom Tailored Clothes)
2
18
Brody & Funt Co., Inc. (Ladies and Misses Coats)
1916
2
19
Brown Durrell Co. (Hosiery and Knit Underwear)
1913-1918
2
20
L. Burger & Schwartz (Men’s Neckwear)
1913-1916
2
21
Burnham-Munger-Root Dry Goods Co.
1913
2
22
Butler Brothers (General Merchandise)
1913-1917
2
23
Byrne & Hammer Dry Goods Co. (Notions and Furnishing)
1913-1918
2
24
Carleton-Ferguson Dry Goods Company (Wholesale Dry Goods)
1916
2
25
Carpenter Paper Co.
1913-1917
2
26
Carson Pirie Scott & Co.
1914-1917
2
27
Chicago Novelty Cloak Co.
1916
2
28
Cohen, Goldman & Co. (Men’s Clothing)
1914-1916
2
29
Colorado Tent and Awning Co. (Flags, Banners, Cotton Duck Goods)
1913-1916
2
30
F. G. Conklin & Co. (Gloves)
1916
2
31
Daniels and Fisher Stores Co. (Wholesale Dry Goods)
1916-1918
2
32
J. David & Co. (Overcoats, Knickerbockers, and Trousers)
1913
2
33
Davis Bros. Inc. (Overalls)
1916
2
34
DeLong Hook and Eye Company
1916-1917
2
35
Irving Drew Co. (Shoes)
1913-1918
2
36
Joseph P. Dunn Shoe & Leather Co. (Boots and Shoes)
1916-1918
2
37
T. H. Eisenhuth Co. (Misses and Children’s Shoes)
1916
2
38
Samuel Eiseman & Co. (Silks)
1916-1918
2
39
Everwear Hosiery Co.
1913-1918
2
40
John V. Farwell Company (Dress Goods)
1913-1917
2
41
Foot, Schultze & Co. (Shoes)
1917
2
42
French & Ward (Woolen Mills – Gloves)
1917-1918
2
43
Gage-Downs Company (Justrite Rustless Corsets)
1914-1918
2
44
Gate City Hat Co. (Hats, Straw Goods, Gloves)
1914-1917
2
45
H. B. Glover Company (Sleepingwear)
1916-1917
2
46
Gordon & Ferguson (Fur)
1914-1918
2
47
Greenebaum, Weil & Michels (Men’s Furnishing Goods)
1916-1918
3
1
Guiterman Bros. (Men’s Furnishings)
1913-1918
3
2
Hamilton-Brown Shoe Co.
1913-1914
3
3
Hanna Manufacturing Co. (Overalls, Coats, and Pants)
1913-1918
3
4
B. Hart & Brother (Silks)
1913-1914
3
5
Henneberry-Zittle Hat Company
1917
3
6
Ph. Herzog & Sons (Ladies Coats and Suits)
1916-1917
3
7
Herzog’s Cloak & Suit Co. Inc.
1916-1917
3
8
Hilker-Weichers Mfg. Co. (Overalls and Shirts)
1917-1918
3
9
Hirsh, Wickwire Company (Ready to Wear Clothing)
1916-1918
3
10
Holland Shoe Co. (Men’s and Boy’s)
1916-1918
3
11
F. M. Hoyt Shoe Company
1916-1917
3
12
Hulse Bros. & Daniel Co. (Umbrellas, Parasols, and Raincoats)
1916-1918
3
13
Geo. P. Ide & Co. (Shirts and Collars)
1913-1918
3
14
Ideal Ladies Tailoring Co. (Wholesale Tailors)
1914-1917
3
15
Robt. H. Ingersoll & Bro. (Watches)
1917
3
16
Johnson-Baillie Shoe Co. (Women’s and Misses)
1918
3
17
Kaynee Co. (Children’s Clothing)
1916-1918
3
18
Kindel Bedding and Renovating Co.
1915-1918
3
19
Kling Bros. & Co., Inc. (Men’s Clothing)
1916-1918
3
20
Knight Woolen Mills (Blankets)
1914
3
21
Kunstadter Brothers (Children’s Purses)
1918
3
22
H. D. Lee Mercantile Co. (Union-Alls)
1917-1918
3
23
Lewis & Locke (Gloves)
1914
3
24
The A. T. Lewis & Son Dry Goods Company
1917
3
25
Lunn & Sweet Shoe Company
1917-1918
3
26
Manhattan Petticoat Co., Inc. (Silk Petticoats)
1914
3
27
Marshall Field & Company
1913-1917
3
28
May Manton Patterns
1913-1918
3
29
Mayer Boot & Shoe Co.
1918
3
30
Mills & Gibb (Fabrics, Notions, Linens, Gloves)
1913-1918
3
31-32
Miscellaneous Solicitations
1913-1918
3
33
Mishawaka Woolen Mfg. Co. (“Ball-Band” Rubber & Woolen Footwear)
1913-1918
3
34
Omaha Rubber Company (Automobile Clothing)
1916
3
35
Ripon Knitting Works (Woolen Hosiery, Leather Gloves & Mittens)
1913-1914
3
36
Rogers, Blake & Co. (Men’s Clothing)
1913-1914
3
37
Joseph Rosenberg & Co. (Waists and Dresses)
1914-1916
4
1
Frank Russell Glove Co.
1916
4
2
Schack Artificial Flower Co. (Wood-Grained Paper)
1916
4
3
Schoenberg Brothers (Boy’s Clothing)
1914-1916
4
4
Sheuerman Brothers, Inc. (Dresses, Skirts, Cloaks, and Dress Goods)
1916
4
5
Shoninger-Heinsheimer Mfg. Co. (Misses and Children’s Cloaks & Suits)
1913-1916
4
6
D. E. Sicher & Co. (Muslin Underwear)
1916
4
7
G. Sidenberg & Co. (Importers and Manufacturers)
1918
4
8
M. E. Smith & Co., Inc. (Fabrics)
1916
4
9
J. L. Sommer Mfg. Co.
1916
4
10
Sorosis Garment Company (Silk Petticoats)
1914-1916
4
11
Spitz Brothers & Meyer Company (Boys Clothes)
1914-1916
4
12
Spool Cotton Company (Crochet Thread)
1913-1916
4
13
Standard Fashion Company (Patterns)
1914
4
14
Stanton Brothers (Women’s Neckwear)
1913-1916
4
15
Star Knitting Co. (Knit Goods)
1916
4
16
Stephenson Underwear Mills (Men’s)
1913-1916
4
17
Sterne & Klein Co. (Petticoats)
1916
4
18
John B. Stetson Company (Hats)
1913-1917
4
19
Stetson Shoe Co., Inc.
1914-1916
4
20
Stone and Company, Inc. (Dry Goods)
1916
4
21
Tootle-Campbell Dry Goods Company (Oil Cloth)
1916
4
22
J. E. Walker Mfg. Co. (Waists, Skirts, Petticoats, Dresses)
1913-1914
4
23
Warner Brothers Company (Corsets)
1914-1917
4
24
R. C. Wittenburg (Ladies and Misses Dresses)
1916
4
25
J & M Wolf (Knit Underwear, Hosiery, and Coat Sweaters)
1916
Series II. Personal Papers
4
26
Correspondence
1913-1916
4
27
Insurance
1914-1917
4
28
Investments
1914-1918
4
29
Miscellaneous
1916-1917, undated
4
30
Subscriptions (to Trade Journals)
1913-1917
4
31
Tax Notice
1917