Shop 'til You Drop

11/30/2023

Well, maybe that’s not the best title choice for a blog article coming from a cemetery, but it certainly describes the days and weeks following Thanksgiving in which a central activity for many becomes the frantic pursuit of gifts for Christmas.

The “Olympic Games of Commerce” boast, as their opening ceremony, the unofficial holiday of “Black Friday,” which now extends through the entire weekend. This is book-ended by “Cyber Monday,” the online version of the previous three days. If you still see your own shadow without presents for all on your list, you better not pout because there are nearly four more weeks of shopping before “Santa Claus” comes to town.

I decided to look at the Frederick News of a century ago to study this phenomenon "back in the day" as they say. A logical place to start was December 1st, 1923, as I wanted to see what shopping options were available (here in Frederick) long before there was something called “Black Friday.” As a matter of fact, this particular year of 1923 came six years before the infamous “Black Thursday” of October 24th, 1929—the day of the largest sell-off of shares in U.S. history causing the Great Stock Market Crash.

Let's get back to the topic of holiday shopping. The answer was clear back then—your best strategy for scoring Christmas deals was keeping a keen eye on advertisements in the "local" newspaper, and getting to the "local" store as fast as possible. Usually this required a trip to downtown Frederick, because this was the prime hub for almost everything in the realm of commercially bought gifts.

As I hearken back to the time period of the “Roaring 20s," it’s important to recall that all presents did not come from stores or shipping warehouses as the majority do today. Back then, a popular alternative included handmade, and homemade, gifts. These could come in many forms and included specialty crafts, clothing and valued antiques. However, not everyone had the talent, time or know-how. I found an article touting holiday shopping in downtown Frederick in the November 20th edition of the Frederick News. This appeared five days prior to Thanksgiving that particular year.

Frederick News (Nov 20, 1923)

Frederick had several nice shops to choose from ranging from Doll Brothers to Bennett’s, Hamburgers to Hendrickson’s. However, there was one additional store that particularly stood out from the rest. This was Kemp’s.

Perhaps it was the marketing acumen of owner Clarence Thomas Kemp, or maybe it was his location on the northeast corner of the town square, known better as “the Square Corner” at the intersection of Market and Patrick streets. Whatever the case, this endeavor offered not just the customary ground floor browsing, but the addition of a second and third floor. Talk about a store of many departments! And come holiday time, the third floor would be transformed into a magical oasis of Christmas gift offerings.

Frederick News (Dec 24, 1923)

Kemp’s was the place, and as the advertisement above makes mentions, it even boasted an elevator to assist customers to those upper floors. A busy venue all-year round, Kemp’s Dry Goods and Notions Store was Santa’s workshop for “kids from 1 to 94” as Karen Carpenter would sing. And if you, like me, are curious to the commercial meaning of notions, they are small objects and accessories such as buttons, snaps, and collar stays used in sewing and haberdashery. Notions also include the small tools used in sewing, such as needles, thread, pins, marking pens, elastic and seam rippers. Oh, the lost art of sewing and "at-home" alteration of "hand-me down" clothing!

Clarence Thomas Kemp
Although previously familiar with this leading merchant of Frederick’s rich past, I knew I had a short cut waiting for me in respect to compiling a biography of his life, or at least part of it. Clarence Thomas Kemp's biography appears in Volume 2 of T. J. C. Williams’ History of Frederick County, published in 1910.

The following passage is taken from that work, and paints a robust picture of Mr. Kemp, whose early ancestors hailed from Germany and Switzerland as is well-documented in genealogical work of Frederick County. In fact, his great-grandfather, Lt. Col. Henry Kemp (1763-1833) led soldiers in the War of 1812 and resides in our cemetery in Area NN. Henry's father, John Ludwig served as a member of the Committee of Observation during the American Revolution here in Frederick. You may also be familiar with a road connected to this early family, located just north of downtown Frederick as it links Rocky Springs Road with Shookstown Road on a northwestern perimeter of Fort Detrick property—Kemp Lane.

Here's that promised biography:

“C. Thomas Kemp, one of the leading citizens of Frederick, Md., proprietor of one of the most successful drygoods and notion houses, situated on the northeast corner of Market and Patrick streets of the city, began life as a poor boy and owes his present eminence in the community to his own earnest efforts. By good management and close application to his business interests, coupled with strict integrity, and fair dealing in his relations with others, he has acquired a reputation and a general regard that are most creditable. Mr. Kemp, who was born July 5th, 1862, is a son of Lewis G. and Sarah M. (Miller) Kemp.

The Kemp family traces its ancestry to reputable lineage in its old home in Germany. The founder of the American branch of the family (Conradt Kemp (1685-1765)) was one of the early settlers of Frederick County, Md. Lewis G. Kemp, father of C. Thomas Kemp, was for many years an active farmer. Later in life, he moved to Frederick. He is now about eighty-five years old, and with his wife resides in Frederick. Mr. Kemp is a member of the Reformed Church. For the past sixty-five years he has been connected with the Democratic party, whose ticket he has constantly supported. His wife, Sarah M. Miller, is a descendant of the well-known Miller family. Three of their children are living: Mary Margaret, unmarried, resides in Frederick; C. Thomas; and B. M., of Chicago, Ill.

1870 US Census showing the Lewis Kemp family living in Grant, Jefferson County, WV

C. Thomas Kemp, son of Lewis G. and Sarah M. (Miller) Kemp, grew up on the home farm where he was born. When he was five years old, his parents removed to West Virginia where they remained until 1876, when they returned to their native county, bringing their son with them. Mr. Kemp was educated in the public schools of West Virginia and Frederick, displaying a bright mentality in his studies, and exhibiting that strength of intellect which subsequently characterized him in his business career. At the age of sixteen, he entered the drygoods store of George L. Cramer, of Frederick, where he remained as clerk for about three and a half years, showing a marked aptitude for that line of effort, and applying himself to the duties assigned him with a zeal that won for him the high regard of his employer.

1880 US Census showing Kemp family living at 297 W Patrick St

Mr. Kemp was next employed by G. J. Doll, when he began business for himself, forming a partnership with Mr. Renner. The firm of Renner and Kemp did a general retail business in drygoods and notions, and speedily became known as one of the most reliable business firms in Frederick.

Frederick News (Jan 28, 1891)

Frederick News (July 25, 1895)

Frederick News (Sept 2, 1899)

Frederick News (Sept 13, 1899) This interesting ad caught my attention as a "fashion celebrity" of the day paid a visit to Frederick. This was expert corset fitter (and former maker) Mrs. (Ellen M.) Van Brunt of New York City. I found the article to the right in a Savannah, GA paper a few months later.

Savannah Morning News (Jan 30, 1900)

Frederick News (Nov 9, 1900)

In September 1899, Mr. Kemp bought out Mr. Renner’s share of the enterprise, and conducted the business under the old stand until January, 1910, under the name of C. Thomas Kemp.

Frederick News (Feb 9, 1909)

Kemp's Store in 1910

Frederick News (March 11, 1909)

He has an extensive trade in drygoods and notions, making a specialty of women’s and children’s ready-made wear. No similar house bears a more enviable reputation and the success attained is directly traceable to the business ability shown by Mr. Kemp in its management. He is progressive in his methods, his integrity as a merchant is unquestioned, and he has built up the extended trade enjoyed by his house through fair and liberal dealing that has gained for him an enviable reputation. He is a man of sound judgment, keen foresight, untiring effort, and stands high in the community as a worthy citizen of a genuine public spirit, and unquestioned usefulness.

Mr. Kemp is a director in the Fredericktown Savings Institution. Mr. Kemp is a Democrat and has always been an active advocate of the principles of the party, although he has never aspired to public office, having no taste in that direction, preferring to be numbered among the rank and file rather than to aspire to political preferment. Mr. Kemp is well known in fraternal circles being a leading member of the Lynch Lodge, No. 163 A. F. and A. M. of Frederick; of Enoch Royal Arch Chapter, No. 23, Royal Arch Masons; and of Jacques de Molay Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar. He stands high in the Masonic order as one of the most popular gentlemen allied therewith.

Mr. Kemp is an active and earnest member of the Evangelical Reformed Church, in the work of which he takes a prominent part, promoting its interest in every way possible.

C. Thomas Kemp was married, March 18, 1890 to Matilda, daughter of Theodore Shultz, deceased of Frederick. They have one daughter, Annie Brunner Kemp.

Frederick News (March 18, 1890)

photo attributed to the couple by user watson1863 on an Ancestry.com family tree

C. Thomas Kemp lived primarily at three locations in Frederick City. In 1880, he lived with his parents at 297 West Patrick. From here he would reside at today's 20 West 3rd Street by 1900, likely moving here after his marriage in 1895. He would be residing here in 1910 when the biography appeared in Williams’ History of Frederick County. Interestingly, his next door neighbor in that census was Frederick City Hospital foundress Emma J. Smith.

C. Thomas Kemp lived at 20 W 3rd St for a few decades. This home is on the southeast corner of W. 3rd and its intersection with N Court St.

1910 US Census showing C Thomas Kemp and family living at 20 W 3rd St

The eventual site of Kemp's Store on the northeast corner of Frederick's Square Corner (c. 1896) predating the construction of the new building

The original site of Kemp and John P. Renner's dry goods store was 15 North Market Street. This structure no longer stands and is the current site of District Arts. Kemp would relocate to the northeast corner of "the Square Corner" at the intersection of Market and Patrick streets, so named because it was the town square of Frederick. This site had many previous usages, including that of a drugstore in the picture above. A previous "Story in Stone" on Daniel M. Grumbine illustrated its use for a tailoring business, and I also learned of a Milton A. Woodward who was a grocer, and the name of the structure was once familiar to residents as the Woodward Building.

Mr. Kemp would enlarge the brick building to three stories in 1908, and it would soon be billed as "the Square Store at Square Corner."

Frederick News (July 14, 1909)

C. Thomas Kemp added men's and boy's clothing departments to his initial offerings of women's and children's apparel. A long list of items were sold here ranging from shoes, silk hosiery, handkerchiefs, jewelry, neckwear and corsets.

Mr. Kemp went on to purchase the adjacent Rosenstock building on East Patrick Street in 1921 and expanded even further. By June of 1923, he was running advertisements which touted Kemp’s as “Frederick’s Greatest Store.”

Frederick News (June 25, 1923)

Year-in and year-out, Kemp worked hard to keep his operation humming. As mentioned earlier, it appears that he put extra effort into his marketing messages and advertisements.

Frederick News (Jan 10, 1923)

Frederick News (Nov 6, 1923)

Frederick News (Nov 20, 1923)

A key area of interest revolves around newspaper-based holiday ads, and more specific, Christmas advertising. My case study involved careful scrutiny of Mr. Kemp's work leading up to Christmas, 1923—a century ago. I found C. Thomas Kemp as one of the earliest businessmen to really “sell” the holiday. He continued his successful marketing strategy and clearly flexed the Kemp's brand. In addition, C. Thomas Kemp counterbalanced his advertising with a specific new department for his store during the holiday season. In December of 1923, we see the third floor, which had usually served as home to men’s clothing, becoming the "Gift Shop.”

Frederick News (Dec 12, 1923)

The "ramp up" week to Christmas included a second ad, in the daily newspaper, designed to provide special gift ideas to the Frederick populace. I was curious about the entire campaign of 1923, so I researched each day and found these gems from December 18th-22nd. Not quite the 12 days of Christmas, but a brilliant marketing campaign nonetheless. C. Thomas Kemp topped off each holiday with a heartfelt message to his customers and community. He did this on each major holiday, and here in 1923, he accentuated ads for Christmas and New Years.

Frederick News (Dec 18, 1923)

Frederick News (Dec 19, 1923)

Frederick News (Dec 20, 1923)

Frederick News (Dec 21, 1923)

Frederick News (Dec 22, 1923)

Frederick News (Dec 24, 1923)

Since I had the Christmas Eve edition of the local paper in hand, I thought I'd share the front page and a few interesting articles from said front page that pertain to Santa Claus coming to Frederick. This should get you in the Christmas spirit!

Frederick News (Dec 24, 1923)

Frederick News (Dec 31, 1923)

C. Thomas Kemp had worked his way up from the bottom and was enjoying the fruits of his labor. His personal life would eventually center around a new home for him and wife Mary in one of Frederick’s finest neighborhood—Rockwell Terrace.

C. Thomas Kemp lived his final years at this residence (middle) 208 Rockwell Terrace

Kemp's ads would continue to attract customers up through the proprietor's death in 1930. As a matter of fact, I was interested to find an advertisement announcing to the community that the business would be closed for several days on account of Mr. Kemp's death in early July. A great sign of respect among business owners came that same week as his competitors shared their condolences.

Frederick Post (July 2, 1930)

Frederick Post (July 3, 1930)

C. Thomas Kemp actually passed on July 1st, 1930. He died at his home at 208 Rockwell Terrace, just four days shy of his 68th birthday. His obituary states that he had been ill for quite some time, suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.

Frederick Post (July 2, 1930)

C. Thomas Kemp was buried in Mount Olivet’s Area C/Lot 138/140 beside his in-laws, Theodore and Mary (Dill) Shultz. Wife Mary Matilda Kemp would join him here upon her passing in 1941. Mr. Kemp’s parents Lewis (1824-1913) and Sarah (1821-1912) are only about 75 yards up the hill in Area E/39, and other early Kemp family members are in this section too. C. Thomas Kemp's former business partner, John P. Renner, and other friends in the dry goods business such as Charles J. Doll (1859-1930), who died the day after Mr. Kemp, are buried nearby as well.

Shultz/Kemp family lot in Area C/Lot 140

Kemp’s Department Store would continue to operate for decades after C. Thomas Kemp’s passing. Daughter Annie, and son in-law, Sam Maples, would operate the store until the early 1960s. Routzahn & Sons, Inc., owners of a furniture, television and appliance store at 24-26 East Patrick Street would purchase the store and property in 1961. They continued to operate under the Kemp's moniker before eventually changing it to Routzahn’s Department Store. The rest, as they say, is history. Thank you Mr. Kemp for outfitting and assisting with "the spirit of giving" during the holidays for so many past (and present) Fredericktonians.