Historical Images of Porter County

Specht, Finney & Skinner Company
Valparaiso, Indiana

Date: 1914
Source Type: Photograph
Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Unknown (#9)
Postmark: Not applicable
Collection: Steven R. Shook
Remark: The Specht, Finney & Skinner Company department store was located at the present day northeast corner of Main Street (now Lincolnway) and Franklin Street. A large fire sweeping the block in 1885 gave the block the nickname the "Burnt Block." Although damaged by fire, the building was saved and remodeled. The business originally began in 1876 by A. V. Bartholomew. Claus F. Specht, a new arrival in to Valparaiso in 1871 from Holstein, Germany, worked as a sales clerk for Bartholomew when he opened his store. In 1877, Stephen L. Finney, a nephew of A. V. Bartholomew, joined the business. After Bartholomew retired in 1882, Specht, Finney, and Peter Hesser purchased the business. Hesser was soon bought out by Specht and Finney in 1883. Hesser then began a business with William Freeman called Hesser-Freeman Company. Later, Specht and Finney formed a new corporation, joining in partnership with L. R. Skinner.

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The following news item appears in the June 22, 1977, issue of The Vidette-Messenger:

Over a cup of coffee
THE CITY'S FIRST delivery truck belonged to the Specht, Finney and Skinner department store located at Lincolnway and Franklin. Wilbur Cowdrey, 604 Calumet Ave., was the first driver in 1912.
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Image and related text prepared by Steven R. Shook