The Wanamaker Diary Map of the Metropolitan District of New York and Vicinity

The John Wanamaker Store in the heart of New York City.

“Located almost in the exact geographical center of Greater New York, the John Wanamaker Store is easily reached from all points, and by its Free Delivery automobile services, reaches all home centers, as shown on this map by the blue lines. The store is directly on the great main avenue of travel, and the subway stations within the store connect it with the great railroads, and every part of the community.” [Text, lower right].

This sweeping view of the five boroughs of New York (plus parts of New Jersey) was designed by Edward Spofford and published by C.S. Hammond & Co. to advertise the convenient location of Wanamaker’s – one of the first department stores in operation in the U.S. Founded in Philadelphia by John Wanamaker in the early 1860s, the firm achieved its peak in the early 20th century. According to an article at Untapped New York;

“At the height of its success, Wanamaker’s operated a store at Broadway and 9th Street in New York City. In 1919, the company’s Manhattan location was deemed by El Mundo to be like 100 special departments all under one roof. Wanamaker’s slow decline began after its founder’s death in 1922, picking up speed as the company lost customers to other retail chains such as Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. After being sold in 1986 to Woodward & Lothrop, significant resources were invested into the company’s 15 stores in the hopes of turning around profits, though these efforts failed.” 

The panoramic image is overprinted with blue ink identifying the location of John Wanamaker’s flagship store, connected to various regional distribution facilities across the greater New York area. Various locations of interest are labeled on the base map, including lightships in New York harbor, the Statue of Liberty (then under construction), and dozens of smaller cities – all ripe with potential customers!

Sources: Untapped Cities; New York Public Library;