S. H. Kress and Co. Building
A Mission Revival storefront that anchored downtown Lubbock’s retail heart for over four decades, this 1932 landmark reflects the optimism of the Depression era and the architectural ambitions of a national department-store chain.
At a glance
Built in 1932 at 1109 Broadway, this three-story commercial building served as a S. H. Kress & Co. store until 1975. Designed by Edward F. Sibbert in the Mission and Spanish Revival styles, it remains one of Lubbock’s finest examples of interwar retail architecture. The building was recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
History
The S. H. Kress Company, founded in 1897, became one of America’s largest five-and-dime chains by the early twentieth century. Lubbock’s store opened in 1932, a deliberate investment during the Great Depression that signaled confidence in the city’s future. The building operated continuously as a Kress store for 43 years before closing in 1975 as the retail landscape shifted. Its National Register listing in 1992 ensured preservation of this commercial milestone.
What you see
Edward F. Sibbert’s design blends Mission and Spanish Revival vocabularies—arched windows, ornamental tilework, and stucco surfaces that evoke the Southwest’s colonial past. The three-story facade presents the proportions and decorative restraint characteristic of 1930s chain-store design, balancing commercial pragmatism with architectural dignity. Original materials and details survive, documenting the era’s standards for downtown retail.
Cultural significance
The building embodies the reach of national retail networks into West Texas and the role department stores played as civic anchors. Its Spanish Revival styling reflects regional identity, adapting a national business model to local architectural tradition. The store shaped downtown shopping habits for a generation and remains a touchstone of mid-century Lubbock commercial history.
Key facts
- Location: 1109 Broadway, Lubbock, Texas, United States
- Coordinates: 33.585°N, 101.847°W
- Completed: 1932
- Architect: Edward F. Sibbert
- Architectural style: Mission/Spanish Revival
- Original use: S. H. Kress & Co. department store (1932–1975)
- National Register of Historic Places: 1992
Practical information & getting there
The building stands on Broadway in downtown Lubbock. Public access to interiors varies; check locally for current conditions and any guided-tour programs. The West Texas landscape and nearby cultural institutions make Lubbock an accessible destination for heritage travelers.
Sources & resources
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