50 N. Illinois Street
Indianapolis, Indiana
MElrose 1-8511
Downstairs
Downstairs Luncheonette • Block's Budget Store
Downstairs Annex
Toys • Sporting Goods • Record Studio
Street Floor
Julius C. Walk Shop Fine Jewelers • Costume Jewelry • Handbags • Gloves • Belts • Hosiery • Casual Hosiery • Umbrellas • Cosmetics • Dress Accessories • Top Shop • Judy Bond Blouse Booth • Patio Sportswear • Street Floor Corsetry • Red Cross Shoes • Notions • Closet Shop • Stationery • Candy • James Whitcomb Riley Fountain Room
Men's Furnishings • Men's Sportswear • Men's Shoes
North Mezzanine
Reweaving Center
South Mezzanine
Drugs • Balcony Book Shop • Closet Shop
Second Floor
Moderate Dresses • Better Dresses • Suburbia Shop • Contempora Shop • Lifestyle Shop • Flair Shop • Sportswear • Women's Sportswear • Blouses • Better Sportswear • Coat Shop • Suit Shop • Fur Salon • Bridal Salon • The Gown Room • French Room • Shoe Salon • Millinery Bar • Wigs • Millinery Salon
Junior World Junior Dresses • Junior Sportswear • Junior Coats
Third Floor
Men's Clothing • Carlton Shop • Pacesetter Shop • Men's Hats • Men's Sport Shop • Teenman Shop • Boys' Shop • Little Boys' Shop • Camera Shop
Young World Children's Shop • Infants' Shop • Kindergarten Shop • Toddler Girls' Shop • Young Set Shoes • High School Shop • Stork Club Maternity
Fourth Floor
Paragon Dress Shops • Daytime Dresses • House and Town Casuals • Uniforms • Paragon Sportswear • Paragon Shoes • Paragon Hats • Foundations • Robes • Lingerie • Slipper Bar • Gasoline Alley • Pit Stop for Young Juniors • Linens and Domestics • Fabrics • Needlework • Mirrors and Pictures • Credit office
Fifth Floor
Luggage Center • Housewares • Small Electrics • Kitchen Furniture • Outdoor Furniture • La Cuisine Gourmet Shop • Bath Shop • Paint Center • Hardware • Garden Shop • Major Appliances • Vacuums • Floor Polishers • Draperies • Floor Coverings • Television and Radios • Stereo Studio
Sixth Floor
China & Crystal • Gifts • Lamps • Bedding • Beauty Salon • Terrace Tea Room • Men's Grille • Auditorium
Seventh Floor
Fine Furniture • Sleep Shop • Employment Office
Eighth Floor
Executive Offices
This is/was my father's store. E.A. Block was my dad.
ReplyDeleteWe now own the building, The Block Apartments, and truly love it. Come visit some time.
DeletePlease e-mail me at bakgraphics@comcast.net, if you have any items relating to the Block store, that I could post on this site. When I get around to writing the history of the store, I would like to mention its current owner and the fact that is is known as The Block Apartments in that history.
DeleteJust bought a tie in a thrift shop for $1. It was a W. H. Block Company tie with original sticker for $2.99. Anyone know the possible date on this tie?
ReplyDeleteThe Sage Collection at Indiana University owns a white denim inscribed jacket with a red embroided label, "BLOCH". Was Block's ever known as Bloch's?
ReplyDeleteNot to my knowledge. Ayres in Indianapolis did carry clothing from "The Stein-Bloch Co., Wholesale Clothiers" of Rochester and New York, New York. These were advertised in the Indianapolis Star until 1934. In 1928 Stein-Bloch merged with Fashion Park Clothes, but the company continued to manufacture clothing with the original name. A quick search of Stein-Bloch could provide more information than I have time to devote here.
Delete-Bruce
Just bought a 1950s suit of Block's. Can't wait of wear it...
ReplyDeleteHi, just got an overcoat, I guess, not sure what to call it. It has a patch with, Robert McIntyre, and, The Wm. H. Block Co., plus some kind of family shield or something.
ReplyDeleteI bought a beautiful mink coat today at a cool antique flea market. It is beautifully made. The lining has the highest quality embroidery. I would love to know more about its age.
ReplyDeleteI have a pair of wire eye glasses from Wm. H. Block Co. Optical dept. Dr. Joseph kernel. They were my great great grandpa's. Back in 30s I think. Anyone know anything about them?
ReplyDeleteI have a pair of wire eye glasses from Wm. H. Block Co. Optical dept. Dr. Joseph kernel. They were my great great grandpa's. Back in 30s I think. Anyone know anything about them?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know about the Block Farm located in Clay Towhship? One side was East of Cool Creek where the Block Mansion was located and on the West was a large farm house and various other buildings. Please contact sandra@omnicentre.org.
ReplyDeleteWe are producing a video about the W. H. Block Farm which is known as Brookshire in Carmel. We also are seeking relatives to talk about Mr. Block and the transfer of land for the subdivision.
I just found a Merino Wool scarf while thrifting. It is a really gorgeous knitted red hues scarf. The tag makes me think it is 50s-60s, but I'm unsure. Does anyone know anything?
ReplyDeleteI just bought a hutch with the tag that reads The WM H block. Co with the make and item number and it is beautiful
ReplyDeleteI have a gorgeous leather jewel box that has a key with it, my opinion it is very old but in mint condition and is stamped in the back. Made in Italy Expressly for The WmH Block Co lndianapolis, IND .... I would love more info on this and its value! Email me at sandrasac2010@hotmail.com or telephone 12706080731 this would be greatly appreciated, thank you so much and I look forward to your response
ReplyDeleteworked as an assistant buyer 1977 - 78 womens sportwear separates. Blocks was the ultimate shopping experience, downtown store so elegant. Food in basement cafe and in upstairs restaurant great, remember the chicken salad and sweet rolls?
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother retired from the downtown Indianapolis store after 25 years. She worked in the Gina and silverware department with a woman named Georgia. I miss the Blocks store so much!!
DeleteI have a fur shawl/cape that reads on tag block's Indianapolis. It also has some initials (LKG) monogramed on the right inside. It belonged to my grandmother who loved to shop department stores so I am sure she has visited there. How do I know if it is real fur and is there any value to it?
ReplyDeleteMy Mother worked at Blocks in Broad Ripple for years. I remember as a little girl the Christmas trees on the roof. I have a vintage vaccuum glass coffee pot she bought there and her dainty white gloves the ladies wore in the 60's. So many memnories!
ReplyDeleteI remember driving past the Block Estate off Wilson Road/Fishback Road every day on the way to school. Fanciest house on the westside! But we never saw anyone coming or going.... big mystery family.
ReplyDeleteMy first modeling assignment was for Blocks Dept. Store in the Tea Room after graduating from Patricia Stevens Modeling School. I believe it was 1957 or 1958. Fond memories. It was a lovely store.
ReplyDeleteI remember Block's Broad Ripple store, it was black with yellow signage. My grand mother and I used to buy Coro jewelry there for my mother for Mother's Day when I was like 5 or 6, we lived less than a mile away. Then Block's Glendale opened and the Broad Ripple Avenue store was closed, the same for L. Strauss & Co. which also opened in Glendale, I think Ayres had opened there first. My uncle was a hat salesman at L. Strauss, which was more of a specialty store. (People from outside of Indianapolis always find "Broad Ripple" a funny name but it was just our neighborhood.)
ReplyDeleteI have a ladies long black leather coat with fur collar that has a tag that says willam h block Indianapolis on it wonder if it’s worth anything
ReplyDeleteAre there any photos of Phoebe Hurty? She wrote ad copy for the store around the 1920s & 30s.
ReplyDeleteJust bought an old block’s purse— gorgeously crafted. Wondering if there are any old Block’s catalogs?
ReplyDelete