Springfield Then & Now: Making way for Woolworth’s

The excavation of the site to make way for Woolworth’s, which would open in 1940. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CLARK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Credit: HANDOUT

Credit: HANDOUT

The excavation of the site to make way for Woolworth’s, which would open in 1940. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CLARK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Lifestyles
March 30, 2018
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Following a disastrous 1895 fire that destroyed the 1868 Lagonda House Hotel, the Bookwalter Hotel block was constructed on the same location, at the northwest corner of Limestone and High Street.

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The 120-room Bookwalter Hotel remained open until 1939 when it was torn down to build a new F.W. Woolworth store.

The scene here from sometime in 1939 shows the excavation of the site to make way for Woolworth’s, which would open in 1940.

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Today, the Woolworth store is gone and the area is used as green space for the Springfield City Hall Plaza.

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