Sunday, September 22, 2013

Cortland Merchants and Holiday Window Displays in 1896.


 
Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, December 23, 1896.

IN HOLIDAY ATTIRE.

Cortland Merchants Make Handsome Window Displays.

   Each Christmas season sees the various stores in Cortland in beautiful Holiday attire. They always present a pleasing appearance from the outside and when one goes inside he finds that the outside appearance is not in the least deceiving. The fact that people come to Cortland from all the country from miles around to do their trading here is a compliment to our hustling merchants.

   In taking a trip through Main-st., there are a few window displays that are particularly attractive, among which might be mentioned the south window of Tanner Brothers which is trimmed with evergreen and in the background stands a black bear cub playing a small snare drum. Young Bruin turns his head from side to side and appears quite lifelike.

   Mention has previously been made of the frog orchestra and singing class in Druggist I. Watson’s window. Kellogg & Curtis show in a tasty manner a fine line of handkerchiefs and decorated chinaware. I. Whiteson claims to have the only and original Santa Claus in his window. The windows of Mrs. Gale present as pretty appearance as ever, as do those of Mrs. Davern.

   In Brown’s drugstore window may be seen a house roof on which are several Brownies, some of whom are climbing up the chimney looking for Santa Claus. In the window of the store of G. J. Mager & Co. Mrs. Mager's needle work is the subject of a great many complimentary remarks. In the north windows at Beaudry’s one looks up on a bank of china in the foreground of which is a huge candy cane.

   Case & Ruggles have a tasty display in their windows, as does A. H. Watkins. The pretty appearance of Warren, Tanner & Co.'s store has been previously noted. The street showcases of Rice & Geer, Mrs. Everts, and the Misses Flaherty are worthy of special notice.

   Yager & Marshall at the Fair store have their windows very tastily arranged with toilet articles, lamps and pictures. Buck & Lane show skates, cutlery and silverware, while H. B. Hubbard has in his windows fruit, lamps and china. F. B. Nourse has a fine display of lamps and choice silverware. The windows of McKinney & Doubleday are very attractive with large pictures, etc. City drugstore is a fine display of toilet articles and F. Daehler’s windows are very pretty with neckwear and handkerchiefs. At F. D. Smith’s, carpet sweepers and skates are shown. The Grand Union Tea store looks very pretty with its display of glassware and china.

   O. A. Brazie shows in one window pictures and in the other Bibles. In Graham & Chatterton’s windows are seen neckwear and hats, and Jewett shows a fine assortment of clocks, opera glasses, and watches. L. W. Aldridge has a display of opera glasses, and in the windows of F. I. Graham are seen candy, toilet articles and the decorated Dresden china on sale by Miss Myers.

   Whitcomb &Co. and G. M. Hopkins each shows candies, fruits and vegetables. Clark & Angell show canned goods and fruit. An assortment of candies fills the windows at Hollister & Rigby’s. J. M. Churchill and Price & Co., grocers, have their nice displays of fruits and vegetables and F. J. Hackett shows robes and blankets. Sager & Jennings have a nice display of toilet articles and perfumery. J. A. Jayne shows fine shoes and Beard & Peck stands desks and chairs. C. W. Stoker has his windows filled with a variety of fruits, vegetables and candies.

   Smokers' supplies are seen at Edwin Robbins'.  At Kellogg's hardware is a display of cutlery, skates and oil heaters. McGraw & Son show fine shoes and C. W. Collins china, lamps, and toys. A. S. Burgess has a fine display of gloves, shirt and neckwear. At the Candy Kitchen on Railroad-st. is a pretty display of fresh, homemade candies of many varieties. M. E. Sarvey, Cramer & Hollister, C. F. Thompson, W. H. Morgan, H. C. Harrington and William Grady have their goods which pertain to the festive season displayed to excellent advantage. Ames shows fine shoes and at Stowell’s Bargain House is a large display of Christmas articles too numerous to classify. Edgcomb & Maritt show boots, shoes and horse furnishings. Bingham Brothers & Miller have a large and pretty display of neckware, and traveling bags.

   Glann & Clark’s windows look pretty with a tasty display of shoes. F. D. Brogden has a pretty arrangement of toilet articles and perfumery. In this window also are several neat calendars which J. A. Wood, the hustling agent for the New York Life Insurance society, is giving away to his customers. F. N. Harrington has an assortment of neckwear. Mrs. Pomeroy’s windows are very tastily arranged and Peck Brothers show blankets, robes and harness. Mills, the tailor, shows neckwear and cloths. G. W. Bradford has a display of toilet articles. The tree in the window of Marks' bakery has been previously mentioned.

 
Vintage toy bear playing snare drum on YouTube: http://youtu.be/vPXOxucXpcw

Editor's note:
   This article was posted to show the many retail stores that used to be located in downtown Cortland.

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