Photo Catalog Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Gaffney's Men's Wear Store at 343 Main Street, 1953 |
Image # |
2003.2.63.2009 |
Object Name |
Negative, Film |
Date |
1953 |
Photographer |
Saari, Paulu T. |
Location |
Ketchikan, Alaska |
Description |
Gaffney's Men's Wear clothing store at 343 Main Street, 1953 Ketchikan Daily News article, 6/24/1953 "Gaffney's Men's Store in New Location on Main Street Gaffney's Men's Store, which this year is observing its 50th year of business in Alaska, is now located on Main Street next to the Elks Club after moving from Water Street to make way for the city's new arterial thoroughfare." Ketchikan Daily News article, 9/18/1959 "Men's Store Well-Known in Alaska Gaffney's Men's Wear can claim the title of a pioneer Alaska business with a history that dates back to 1903. In July of that year, the business was founded in Nome by T. W. (Walter) Gaffney, and he operated the store there until July 1910. Gaffney then moved to Seattle and operated a men's shop on First Avenue for three years. From 1913 until 1921, he managed the Blum-O'Neill Company in Cordova, leaving there in 1922 to travel throughout the territory with men's clothing lines. Gaffney and his family came to Ketchikan in 1924 where he took a position with the P. J. Gilmore Clothing store at the recent site of the Fo'c'sle bar. PURCHASED STORE In 1932 Gaffney became associated with the C. M. Hayes Men's Store in Newtown and in 1936 bought out the Hayes' interest reinstating the name of Gaffney's Men's Wear in Alaska. Al Wingren joined the firm in 1945 and, after the retirement of Gaffney, operated the business on Water Street. When the tunnel was built in that area, the store moved to a location on Main Street where the firm remained until 1958 when Gaffney purchased the interests of Hattrick's Mens Shop and combined the two stores at the present location at Mission and Bawden. In March of this year, Mr. and Mrs. Wingren purchased the Gaffney interest and are now owners of the store, still operating under the pioneer name of Gaffney's Men's Wear." Ketchikan Daily News advertisement, 9/5/1970 "Forced out by street widening 1953 moved to KATV location. Bought out HATTRICK'S MEN'S SHOP 1958 on Mission St. 1959 - purchased from W. GAFFNEY and MARY and AL WINGREN, operated that shop until now at 512 Mission St. (9/5/1970) Again forced out by street widening! So. . .HENCE OUR NEW and BETTER MEN'S STORE to serve KETCHIKAN. To all our old friends who have been with us over the years: THANKS, For the years past, We are thankful, for those to come. . . WE ARE HOPEFUL!" |
Provenance |
Donated to the Museum by the Photographer |
Film Size |
4" x 5" |
People |
Saari, Paulu Toivo |
Search Terms |
Main Street Gaffney clothing Elks Club Interior |
Credit line |
Ketchikan Museums: Paulu T. Saari Collection, KM 2003.2.63.2009 |