MG-302 BOWMAN'S DEPARTMENT STORE RECORDS 1880-1969
2.5 cubic feet
Bowman's Department Store, formerly H.H. Bowman and Co., Inc., was located at
314-318 Market Street in Harrisburg and was a retail merchandise outlet from 1871
to 1969. The store was originally founded as a dry goods store at Front and Market
Streets in Harrisburg by John K. Bowman (1848-1925) of Cumberland County who was
said to deliver his goods in a wheelbarrow. Subsequent expansions and relocations
placed the store at 331 Market Street and then at 233 Market Street. Married to
Emma R. Hostetter in 1872, Bowman had four children, of whom J. William and Henry
H. became business partners and continued to operate the store after their father's
death. The store had a very active association of workers who participated in
sports teams, picnics, and parties and corresponded regularly with store employees
who fought in the First World War. The collection includes day books, 1879-1903;
ledgers, 1880-1910; and sales records, bank deposits, and expense and inventory
records, 1941-1969. Also found are business correspondence, materials relating
to the store's 1921 golden jubilee, store floor plans, advertisements, sketches,
and photographs.
ACCOUNTS
Day Books, 1879-1903. (8 volumes) {#302m.1}
Ledgers, 1880-1910. (4 volumes) {#302m.2}
Amount of Sales (East Main & West Stores), 1954-1956. (2 volumes) {#302m.3}
