Frederick & Nelson

Frederick & Nelson was a Seattle, Washington department store. It was founded in 1890 by Donald Frederick and James Mecham and was called J.G. Mecham and Company. They were joined by Nels Nelson, and when Mecham sold his share, the store became Frederick & Nelson. The store sold not only clothing and dry goods, but also home furnishings and furniture.

In 1929, the store was sold to the Chicago based store, Marshall Field, though the store retained the Frederick & Nelson name. Beginning in the 1940s, branch stores were opened, and by 1980 there were fifteen Frederick & Nelson stores in Washington and Oregon.

But by the mid 1980s, the stores were in trouble. The company was sold a number of times. Some of the branches were closed, and in 1992, the chain completely closed.

Written by fuzzylizzie

from a late 1950s suit

Courtesy of Mary Catherine Lamb