In October 1889, Graves, Cox & Company opened as a gentlemen’s hat and haberdashery shop at 42 East Main Street, on the southeastern corner of Main and Upper Streets. The firm assumed the operations and location of Ross & Todd. The firm was established by George K. Graves[1] and Leonard G. Cox[2], both Lexington natives. Grave, aged 24, had worked for five years for Wilson & Starks[3], of Lexington, as a sales clerk. Cox, aged 22, was a former law student at the University of Michigan.[i]
In September 1892, the company consolidated with Wilson & Starks (owned by John N. Wilson), and incorporated as The J. N. Wilson Company. Wilson operated as a “merchant tailors, clothiers and furnisher” at 64 East Main Street[4]. This merger provided the capital to expand their operations. The officers and directors were John N. Wilson (president), Leonard G. Cox (vice president) and George K. Graves (secretary & treasurer). The firm operated both locations for the next month, then occupied Wilson’s location on 64 East Main Street.[ii]
In addition, they completed renovated the Wilson Building, also known as White Hall. The first floor had two large plate glass windows installed and additional furniture and fixtures installed for ready-made clothing, furnishing goods and hats. The windows were reported to the largest display windows in Lexington. The second and third floors were completed with hardwood floors and furniture and fixtures. The second floor contained children’s clothing, hats and finishing department, while the third floor contained tailoring department, trunks, valises, sundry articles and duplicate stock. The firm indicated that the store would be “the metropolitan store of Central Kentucky.”[iii]
During November 1892, the old Graves, Cox location was closed and sold to J. B. Reardon & Company (John B. Reardon and Edgar G. Spink).[iv]
During September 1893, fire damaged the first floor of the store, probably started by a smoldering spark which set ablaze a table of merchandise. Three large tables of black cutaways and Prince Albert suits were completed lost and several other tables set on fire. The upper floors were damaged by smoke.[v]
In November 1893, John N. Wilson retired from the firm and was bought out by his partners. After his retirement, Leonard G. Cox was elected president, Louis Alder[5] as Vice President and George K. Graves as secretary & treasurer. Adler also provided some of the funds to purchase Wilson out.[vi] The next year, during January 1894, the name was changed back to Graves, Cox & Co. (Incorporated). The new company had capital stock of $55,000.[vii]
In March 1894, J. R. Berger was employed by the company as a full time window dresser[6]. On March 17th, he revealed his lighted Easter displays at dark, which had been blocked from view by curtains. The east window devoted to novelties imported woolens, the center window with a six foot Easter egg (surrounded by mirrors, a brood of little chickens and nickel, oxidized and gold plated watches), and the west window to neckwear and men’s furnishings.[viii]
On January 20, 1900, shortly after midnight a fire was discovered by a patrolman passing on his rounds. He summoned the fire department, which arrived on the scene quickly and started to fight the fire. Meanwhile, “Mr. Cox, who had been notified by courier, arrived on the scene in a carriage and aided the firemen to find their way in the dark until he could cut in the interior electric lights. Mr. George Graves arrived a few minutes later.” The fire was quickly put out. The upper floor and roof were extensively damaged, while the first floor was heavily damaged by smoke and water.[ix]
After the fire, the newspaper reported that “Graves, Cox & Co. carry one of the finest and most extensive stocks of clothing in town.”[x]
During 1903, Louis Alder left the firm and was replaced in April 1903 by Edward P. Perry[7]. The firm had just completed refurbishing the first floor and employed 35 people. The firm indicated that they were doing “a business 25 times as large as it did the first year of its existence.” In addition, it was reported:
“its business has constantly and rapidly increased, until it now furnishes Clothing, Tailoring, Shoes, Hats and furnishings throughout Fayette county and Central Kentucky, and by means of its mail order business reaches customers in many other states.”[xi]
During 1904, the Lexington Railway Company started operating the interurban streetcars between Lexington and Georgetown, Paris, Versailles and Frankfort. Leonard G. Cox indicated that the “interurban lines have in no small degree contributed to this prosperous condition. We believe that this prosperity was general throughout the entire city, and is due mainly to the fact that the surrounding towns and the tributary counties are awakening to the fact that Lexington is, in a true sense, now a city and offers all the facilities for city shopping, and competes, both as to price and variety, with Cincinnati and Louisville.”[xii]
In January 1907, J. Edward Battaile[8] was hired as a salesman by the firm. He had worked for the company from 1889 to 1894, then left to go to L. & G. Straus.[xiii]
During September 1912, renovations were completed at the cost of $5,000. The newspapers indicated that their shop was “equal to that of any metropolitan establishment in the county, and money has not been spared in this effort.” Their operations were “one of the most up to date departments in the way all clothing stock can be hung eliminating entirely the old fashioned tables on which clothing heretofore has been piled and so kept for inspection.”[xiv]
The cashiers and wrapping departments were relocated to the center of the store, on a raised platform. They installed a Rapid Barr Basket System, a series of cables and driveshafts which transported cash and packages quickly to and from the center of the store. It was reported that the “customers to be served in half the time formerly required.” Along the back wall, The renovations also including an electric elevator, the first operated by AC current from the new power plant at the Lexington Utility Company. The elevator cost $1,600.[xv]
The custom tailor shops were relocated from the third floor to larger space on the second floor. The third floor was converted into the Children’s department, from the first floor. Revolving display cabinets were installed to allow suits to be displayed efficiently.[xvi]
In 1922, the firm established a woman’s department.[xvii]
In 1929, Joseph C. Graves[9] became the firm’s advertising manager. The next year, he was elected secretary of the firm.
During 1933, the firm held an exhibition diamond ball game against its rival Kaufman’s Clothing. The firm team walked onto the field “in shabby, ragged clothing which had been brought – at least according to sings they carried – at the opposing store. Kaufman’s team was outfitted in football uniforms. The crowd of 4,000 watched the Graves, Cox team win 26 to 25.
In September 1938, Edward P. Perry, a director and treasurer, died and was replaced by Joseph C. Graves.[xviii] In 1940, Leonard G. Cox, Jr. was elected a director and secretary. In 1943 and 1957, founders George K. Graves[xix] and Leonard G. Cox[xx], respectively, died.
During September 1941, the front exterior was completed after a two month remodeling. The work was designed by Warfield Gratz, a local architect. The exterior was cladded in marble and the display windows lowered. The display windows also had the glass backs replace with mahogany panels, with improved lighting.[xxi]
During October 1950, the company began another remodeling to expand the first floor sales room back to Water Street. This work was finished in May 1951. The clothing racks were replaced and the shirt department was moved next to the men’s clothing.[xxii]
In 1959, the firm remodeled the second floor for woman’s sportswear and accounting office at the cost of $60,000.[xxiii]
In 1960, Joseph C. Graves passed away suddenly and his son, Joseph C. Graves, Jr., was elected as vice president. The officers in addition to Graves were Leonard G. Cox, Jr.[10] president, J. Paul Nickell vice president and Leonard Elgan secretary.[xxiv]
During September 1960, J. Paul Nickell[11] and Leonard Flynn[12] were elected vice president and secretary of Graves Cox & Company. In addition, Leonard G. Cox, Jr. and Joseph C. Graves, Jr. were reelected as president and treasurer.[xxv]
Future President John F. Kennedy campaigning in Lexington, 1960
During 1967, the company expanded to Turfland Mall, the first suburban mall in Lexington.
In November 1969, Genesco purchased Graves Cox & Co. from the Cox and Graves families. The company operated two locations, the Main Street store and one in Turfland Mall. Genesco was the nation’s largest manufacturer and retailer of clothing. At the sale, Joseph C. Graves, Jr. left the firm and agreed to a non-compete for six years. Leonard G. Cox, Jr. remained president, Leonard Flynn vice president and treasurer, J. Paul Nickell vice president and Leonard W. Cox, secretary.[xxvi]
Sanborn Insurance Map
In September 1892, the store was located down Main Street, to lots 60, 62, 64 and 66 East Main Street. This location was the old Wilson & Starks Store, also known as White Hall. In 1905, the address was reclassified as lots 122, 124, 126, 128 and 132 West Main Street, when the dividing point was moved from Broadway (the original courthouse location) to the Courthouse.
Window display “Just Imagine,” showing at the Strand Theatre, 1930 <LS>
Another display at the Ben Ali for Kupperheimer Suits, 1935 <LS>
Display for the Ben Ali Theater, 1931 <LS>
[1] George Keene Graves (1865-1943) was born in Lexington, the great grandson of William Morton, an early Lexington merchant. In 1884, he began working as a bookkeeper for Wilson & Starks and during 1889, founded Graves, Cox & Company. He also served as a director of the Security Trust Company from 1909 to 1943 (serving as Vice President from 1923 to 1936). He was also a director of the Kentucky Joint Stock Land Bank during the 1930s.
During the First World War, he served as deputy food administrator for Lexington and Fayette County. He was a co-founder of the Georgetown & Lexington Traction Company, Indian Refining Company and a director of the Fayette Home Telephone Company, Kentucky Union Land Company and Lexington Cemetery.
[2] Leonard Grinstead Cox (1867-1957) was born in Lexington in 1867. After graduating from Transylvania University and attending for one year the University of Michigan Law School, he returned to Lexington and founded the firm of Graves, Cox & Company. In August 1895, he married Margaret Clark Roberts, and had two children Marjorie R. and Leonard G. Cox, Jr.
Cox also served as the president of the First National Bank from 1909 until the merger in 1913, and after the merger, served as the chairman of the First & City National Bank until 1929. He also served as a director of the Lexington City National Bank, Kentucky Joint Stock Land Bank and Security Trust Company.
Cox also participated in a number of enterprises, including the Phoenix Hotel Company, Fayette Home Telephone Company, Kentucky Utilities Land Company, Lexington Water Company, Indian Refining Company and Great Southern Refining Company. He also was president of the City Development Company and as a director of the Aylesford Land Company and North Side Land Company. He served as trustee of Transylvania University and Hamilton College. Mr. Cox was President of the Chamber of Commerce during 1896-97.
[3] Owned by John N. “Nash” Wilson and I. N. Starks.
[4] Actually 62, 64 and 66 East Main Street, later renumbered 124 West Main Street.
[5] Louis Adler was awell-known clothing merchant and part owned the Adler’s Clothing Store, with his brothers, on Main Street. In 1897, he retired and took a vacation trip to Europe. After returning he bought out the old Spence & Richards store, at the corner of Main and Mill Streets.
[6] Display windows first originated in London and New York during the 1880s, where merchandise was displayed in decorative arrangements and life like situations.
[7] Edward P. Perry was employed by Wilson & Starks prior to 1890.
[8] Ed “Cousin Ed” Battle was a long term employee, which was the victim of many practical jokes. Once, they added tacks to the sweat band of his hat, since battle always placed his hat on his head, then pulled it firmly down.
[9] Joseph C. Graves (1905-1960) - joined in 1929, after graduating from the University of Kentucky, as advertising manager. During the 1930s, he developed the “Where George” campaign, where two cannibals were looking at each other over a steaming caldron, where a third person had just escaped. One indicated where George. The reply was “George is at Graves Cox buying a Kupperheimer Suit.” The twice a week advertisement continued to feature different drawings of the vanishing George.
In 1943, he succeeded his father to the board of the Security Trust Company. During June 1945, he was elected to the board of curators of Transylvania University. In April 1953, he became president of the Henry Clay Memorial Foundation, which controls Ashland. In April 1955, he was a founder of the Foundation for the Preservation of Historic Lexington and Fayette County, which purchased John Hunt Morgan house. He later was president of the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation.
[10] Leonard G. Cox, Jr. (1915-1980).
[11] Nickell joined the firm during 1925 and became a director in 1943. He was the main clothing buyer. During the war, he served briefly in the U. S. Navy.
[12] Flynn joined the firm during 1929 and oversaw several remodeling, including the boy’s department and ladies’ sportswear department. During the Second World War, he served four years with the 38th Infantry Division in New Guinea and the Philippines. After the war, he became the operations and personnel manager.
[i] Lexington Leader, September 24, 1889, page 8, column 4.
[ii] Lexington Leader, September 4, 1892, page 1, columns 5-6 and Lexington Leader, September 5, 1892, page 2, column 3.
[iii] Lexington Leader, September 4, 1892, page 1, columns 5-6 and Lexington Leader, September 5, 1892, page 2, column 3.
[iv] Lexington Leader, November 3, 1892, page 4, column 1.
[v] Lexington Leader, September 29, 1893, page 2, column 3.
[vi] Lexington Leader, November 19, 1893, page 1, column 4.
[vii] Lexington Morning Transcript, January 18, 1894, page 5, column 2.
[viii] Lexington Leader, March 18, 1894, page 6, column 3.
[ix] Lexington Herald, January 20, 1900, page 5, column 3 and Lexington Leader, January 20, 1900, page 7, columns 2-3.
[x] Lexington Herald, January 20, 1900, page 5, column 3 and Lexington Leader, January 20, 1900, page 7, columns 2-3.
[xi] Lexington Herald, April 11, 1903
[xii] Lexington Leader, December 31, 1903, page 4, column 4.
[xiii] Lexington Leader, January 6, 1907, section 2, page 1, column 6-7 and Lexington Herald, March 16, 1943, page 7, column 3.
[xiv] Lexington Leader, September 5, 1912, page 5, column 2 and Lexington Herald, September 5, 1912, page 12, column 5.
[xv] Lexington Leader, September 5, 1912, page 5, column 2 and Lexington Herald, September 5, 1912, page 12, column 5.
[xvi] Lexington Herald, January 17, 1913, page 12, column 6.
[xvii] Lexington Herald, November 3, 1963, page 8, columns 1 -8.
[xviii] Lexington Herald, September 27, 1938, page 14, column 1.
[xix] Lexington Herald, March 19, 1943, page 1, column 5 and page 7, column 1.
[xx] Lexington Herald, February 28, 1957, page 1, column 6.
[xxi] Lexington Leader, September 18, 1941, page 16, columns 1-2.
[xxii] Lexington Leader, May 11, 1951, page 8, column 2.
[xxiii] Lexington Herald, November 3, 1963, page 8, columns 1 -8.
[xxiv] Lexington Herald, June 4, 1960, page 1, column 7.
[xxv] Lexington Herald, September 15, 1960, page 1, column 1.
[xxvi] Lexington Herald, November 13, 1969, page 1, column 1.
