Jefferson Coal and Mining Company (1871-1872) – 1 Year
The Jefferson Coal and Mining Company store carried a wide variety of merchandise–from groceries, to clothing, to housewares–as was typical of a frontier store. Thomas Ward was working in this store when he decided to buy it.
The store of the Jefferson Coal and Mining Company has this day been sold to Mr. Thomas Ward, who will from this time conduct it on his own account.
Colorado Transcript - July 3, 1872
Thomas Ward Clothing (1872-1882) – 10 Years
Ward must have decided that clothing was the most profitable part of the business, because he soon made that the store's focus and renamed it to "Thomas Ward Clothing."
By reference to local advertisements in this issue, it will be seen that one of our oldest and most successful merchants, Mr. Thomas Ward, has disposed of his business to Mr. Charles H. Wade, who continues to carry it on in the same place.
Colorado Transcript - April 5, 1882
Wade Clothing (1882-1906) – 24 Years
Ward's Clothing became Wade's Clothing in 1882. Charlie Wade had worked for Mr. Ward before starting his own clothing store in Georgetown. When Ward was ready to sell, Wade bought the business from his former boss.
Luther Hertel, who has just purchased the business of Chas. H. Wade, in this city, is a very pleasant gentleman and appears to have the right ideas about business.
Colorado Transcript - March 1, 1906
Hertel Clothing (1906-1943)
Luther Hertel purchased the Wade Clothing Store in 1906. The business was at that time operating in the Opera House Block (map). Mr. Hertel was a gifted merchandiser, and by 1917, he needed a bigger space. Nick Koenig, who ran the grocery store in the Loveland Block (map) built a new building, specifically designed to rent to Hertel Clothing, at 1222 Washington–immediately south of the Opera House Block.
Mr. and Mrs. W.A. McKeehen arrived here Monday from Van Nuys, Calif., and will make their home here for the present. Mr. McKeehen has taken over the management of the Hertel store."
Colorado Transcript - March 19, 1942
McKeehen’s (1943-1964) – 21 Years
Mr. and Mrs. McKeehen were originally from Golden, and after Mr. McKeehen finished his military service, were eager to return home. They soon bought the Hertel business, and, some months later, gave it their own name. They expanded their offerings, and for the first time, the former men's store offered women's and children's clothing.
Hereafter the Hertel Clothing Co. will be officially known as the McKeehen Clothing Co.--same owner, same high-grade merchandise and same excellent service--nothing changed but the name.
Colorado Transcript - February 25, 1943
In January of 1964, the McKeehens closed the store and liquidated everything, from merchandise to fixtures, thus ending the 93 year life of the clothing business.
The following October, new owners opened Golden Squire in that same location. Showing a surprising lack of historical awareness, they proclaimed it to be "Golden's first exclusive men's store."
Thank you to Wendy Weiman for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of November.
