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Knollenberg's Building

The George H. Knollenberg Co. building is still standing in Uptown Richmond at 809 East Main Street. It formerly housed a family-owned department store, once the center of retailing in Richmond.

George H. Knollenberg was born on December 7, 1847 and began working in the dry-goods business when he was only 16.  He began his own enterprise 3 years later in 1866. The firm doubled in capacity during the first 5 years.

In 1877, before he was 30, George had purchased the site and built his own building (the tower section on the left). In 1888 the building was expanded to the west (the section with the Knollenberg's sign). In 1896, the company expanded further with another addition to the rear of the current building. This Annex, with frontage on South 8th Street, formerly housed a Chinese restaurant.

Photo: Front Facade, Knollenberg's Building

Photo taken April 6, 2001

After 130 years as a family-owned business, the Geo. H. Knollenberg Co. closed its doors in 1996. The building was purchased, remodeled and found new life, hosting a variety of businesses.

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Did You Know?

Wilbur Wright, co-inventor of the airplane with his brother, Orville, attended school in Richmond, Indiana. His family moved to Dayton, Ohio in June of 1884 just before he would have received his diploma from Richmond High School. The diploma was awarded to him posthumously on April 16, 1994.