R.H. Stearns was founded in 1847 by Richard H. Stearns. Like many of our Boston stores, it grew and became a name known for quality goods. The company expanded and took over the old Masonic Temple on the corner of Tremont Street and Temple Place in 1886. The wonderful old temple and former US court house was renovated and became the new home of the R.H. Stearns Company Store.

 

By the turn of the century, this building was becoming too small and in 1909 a new, larger building was erected on the same spot. 

 

In 1946, the store changed the revolving door arrangement to reflect fire safety changes brought about by the tragic Cocoanut Grove fire of 1942. 

 

R.H. Stearns was well known for women’s clothing and accessories. It also carried men’s accessories as well as clothing for infants and young children. The items for the home were fine linens, bedding, china, silver and crystal…no vacuums here! Toys were also of the better quality…lots of wooden items crafted by hand. The motto of “less is more” comes to mind.

 

They had a way of showing off fewer goods and making them look very desirable and classy!

You did not go hunting for bargains there…its basement never had sale bins like the other large Boston department stores did. Stearns was prim and very proper…no frills and no gimmicks allowed!Stearns maintained a very loyal shopping clientele and they were very much, by the 1960’s, older ladies of the city and local Boston suburbs.

 

R. H. Stearns was never trendy.Changing times did not change Stearns…well, not until 1975 with a new owner and some very modern ideas. Sadly, even with all this new identity and five modern branches by 1970, the store folded by 1978. Boston lost its “grand” store…the last really old style Boston store left…and with it died the vision of the “little old lady from Beacon Hill” image. 

 

This building still stands today although no longer the home of R.H. Stearns but remains a proud reminder of the rich history that brought it into being over 100 year ago.The building was converted into 140 apartment units.