Remember Manchester's department store? What about Woolworth's and Kresge's? Downtown Madison has been home to many iconic shopping hot spots over the years. This gallery looks back at some of them.
Kessenich's, 1927
Kessenich's Gift Shop, 201 State St., in July 1927.
Kessenich's, 1934
Exterior of the Kessenich building, later known as Yost's Kessenich's, at 202-203 State St., in May 1934.
Park Hotel, 1950s
The Park Hotel, at the corner of South Carroll and West Main streets, in pictured here in the 1950s. The hotel had a pharmacy, as well as a barber shop and the Hob Nob Bar.
E.W. Parker, 1950s
E.W. Parker is shown in the 1950s. It was flanked by Badger Candy Kitchen and a furrier.
Kresge's, 1950s
Kresge's anchored the corner of Main and Pinckney streets on Capitol Square. Next door is Miller's. The photo is believed to have been taken in the 1950s.
Manchester's, 1954
Manchester's department store was a big anchor on Mifflin Street, as shown in this photo from 1954 taken by the State Journal.
Yost's-Kessenich's, 1954
The Yost's-Kessenich's Department Store at 201 State St. in 1954.
Moseley's, 1955
A bus travels down Mifflin Street on Capitol Square in 1955. The photo show's Moseley's, Woldenberg's and Walgreen Drugs.
Monona Hotel, 1956
This photo from August 1956 shows the Monona Hotel and Indian Room Bar on old Monona Avenue, now Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Nearby is the Bank of Madison.
Madison Hotel, 1959
Cars maneuver around Capitol Square in 1959 at the corner of Pinckney and Mifflin streets in Madison. A large Blatz beer sign topped what then was the Madison Hotel.
Forbes Meagher Music, 1960s
This photo of Capitol Square in the 1960s shows Forbes Meagher Music, as well as a store offering one-hour martinizing (dry cleaning) and a sign promoting Fauerbach Beer. If you look closely, you can see a sign for the "voice studio" upstairs.
Capitol Square, 1960s
A northwesterly view of the Capitol and Capitol Square in the late fall, sometime in the 1960s, before extensive development. Mifflin Street runs along the top side of the Square in this photo, with the YWCA building in the upper right and the Inn on the Park at lower left.
King's Food Host, 1970
In July 1970, Pinckney Street along the Capitol Square featured an Aurthur Murray Dance Studio above Bridal Haven and King's Food Host.
Spoo and Son, 1974
The Spoo and Son store on Carroll Street is seen in this 1974 photograph.
Karsten's, 1975
This August 1975 photo shows Karsten's, Wolff Kubly Hirsig and Spoo and Son on Carroll Street.
Wolff Kubly Hirsig, 1977
This photo from January 1977 in Downtown Madison shows Wolff Kubly Hirsig, GLW Designs, Music City and the Karstens-Dean building. Grace Episcopal Church is also visible in the distance.
Emporium, 1977
In January of 1977, East Mifflin Street featured the Emporium, Moseley's, Fanny Farmer Candy Shop, Arthur Murray Dance Studios, John Charles Salon, Strand Theater and Manchester's department store.
The Hub Clothiers, 1978
In April 1978, West Mifflin Street featured stores such as The Hub Clothiers, Barkers, E.W. Woolworth and Baron's department store.
American Exchange Bank, 1979
This photo from July 1979 shows American Exchange Bank in Downtown Madison at East Washington Avenue and North Pinckney Street.
Strand Theater, 1980s
This photo from the 1980s shows East Mifflin Street, with the Upper Crust, Strand Theater, Condon Jewelers and John Charles Salon.
Ben Franklin's, 1988
The Ben Franklin variety store, 30 W. Mifflin St., is shown in this November 1988 photo.
Woolworth's, 1988
Woolworth's was at West Mifflin Street and Wisconsin Avenue in April 1988.
Shopping on the Square
If you want to see more photo galleries like this one, check out our other throwback galleries.
Teryl Franklin | Wisconsin State Journal
Senior editor for audience development
Teryl Franklin is the senior editor for audience development for the Wisconsin State Journal. She has worked at the paper since 1996 in a variety of roles, including business editor, city editor and managing editor.
