Title	Christman Building
Title-Alternative	Retail 18
Identifier	JPL10_381_002_a_M
Creator	Unknown
Contributor	Simpson, Leslie. Post Memorial Art Reference Library; Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Publisher	Joplin Public Library
Description	In February 1916, Christman Dry Goods Co. announced plans to tear down its 3-story brick building and erect a 5-story one on the same site. The retail business would continue to operate in its Virginia Street annex, which would eventually be connected to the new building. While excavating the corner of 5th and Main, workers uncovered a 783-foot deep well used by the old brewery that had previously occupied the site. The Alfred and August Michaelis architectural firm designed the Christman Building following the techniques of the Chicago style, with its reinforced concrete and brick veneer walls. In addition to these fireproof construction methods, the store also had a built-in sprinkler system. Incidentally, this feature was put to the test in 1942, when a fire swept through the first floor men's department. Although the store lost thousands of dollars in smoke and fire damage to its contents, the building itself stood secure. Christmans' new store, "one of the most imposing business buildings in the city" opened its doors on September 13, 1917. Two years later, the firm expanded yet again, adding another 30,000 square feet of warehouse space for furniture, carpet, and other large items. The store touted its 150,000 square footage, which made it the largest retailer in southwest Missouri. In 1954, the Kansas City-based Macy's firm bought the company, but retained all 170 employees. The Christman family, who still owned the building, managed Macy's Department Store. Then in 1976, Macy's closed, and Christmans' Department Store reopened for four more years, calling it quits in 1980. Howsmon's Office Supply moved in shortly thereafter. Sources:Gibbons, Charles. Angling in the Archives, p. 142, 143, 150, 162. Joplin, Mo.: H. Lang Rogers, 1996.Joplin Globe. February 4, 1917.Joplin Globe. September 13, 1917.Joplin Globe. September 10, 1954. "Macy's Buys Christman Dry Goods Company. "Joplin Globe. February 2, 1992. Gibbons, Charles. Angling in the Archives.
Subject	Christman Dry Goods Co.(Joplin, Mo.); Michaelis, August; Michaelis, Alfred; Macy's Department Store (Joplin, Mo.); Retail trade--Missouri--Joplin; Howsman's Office Supply (Joplin, Mo.);
Language	English
Date-Creation	circa 1917
Date-Current	8/17/2004
Type	Postcards
Collection Name	Joplin Historical Postcards
Source	From the collection of the Joplin Museum Complex
Coverage	Missouri -- Jasper County -- Joplin; Missouri -- Newton County -- Joplin;
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Contributing Institution	Joplin Public Library (Joplin, Mo)
County	Jasper County (Mo.) Newton County (Mo.)
Copy Request	Contact Joplin Public Library at 417-624-5465, or email jpl@joplinpubliclibrary.org