Back in the days when modern retailing was in its infancy, an idea which was destined to revolutionize store-keeping was born in the mind of a man who was then in business in Boston. That man was Samuel S. Houghton. The idea was that of assembling and displaying for sale under one roof with its consequent saving of expense, several complete stocks —a department store. This idea was later gone over with R. H. Macy, a cousin of Sam.
R H Macy thought so well of the plan that the two men went to New York with the determination of giving the idea a trial.
The firm of R. H. Macy & Co. was established and was a great success from the start. Sam continued with R H for some time, but finally decided to return to Boston and open up a store of his own.
In 1872, Benjamin P. Dutton owned a wholesale dry goods business on Summer Street But when the great Boston fire of 1872 wiped out his establishment, Sam Houghton induced him to enter partnership with him to create the second department store in America, Houghton & Dutton Company.
Houghton & Dutton Company
Page 3
Houghton-Dutton Company became known throughout New England as a department store, striving continually to sell dependable merchandise at rock bottom prices. Every personal and home requirement was sold in this great store (excepting men's suits). Whether it is furniture or any home furnishings, medicines, clothing, food, auto accessories—practically anything you can conceive of—this store had it.
Although it was a radical departure from store keeping methods of 1872, it was a success from the start.
A great following developed and the company was successfully led for most of its life by the beloved, Harry Dutton. Sadly, this Boston original fell on hard times in the 1930's, because of The Great Depression and by 1937 the store had gone out of business.
The building that housed Houghton-Dutton eventually housed other businesses but by 1967 the Beacon Hill Theater was the only thing left. So in the summer of 1967 the building was demolished to begin the process of building One Beacon Street.
Boston's First Real Department Store
The Grand Dames of
Tremont Street and Temple Place
55
Tremont St
ONE BEACON STREET , NOW