60. H. E. HEACOCK CO. Department Store in Escolta

I like to collect photos and memorabilia of buildings in the old Escolta, Manila.  One of the forgotten structure was Heacock's Building, a department store in Escolta.

Pre-war pin of H.E. Heacock Co.

The Heacock's Department store, considered during the prewar years as the largest in the Philippines, began in 1900 when H.E. Heacock and B.W. Freer opened a jewelry store in Manila at the old McCullough Building near the Santa Cruz Bridge. It dealt with retail and wholesale trade of Elgin watches, International Silver, Rogers Flatware, Gorham's Silverware and other lines of jewelry and silverware manufactured in the United States. They moved to the new Lack and Davis Building in Echague street, Quiapo, and in 1909 they moved again to Escolta in an old Spanish period building between Pinpin Street and David Street. In refurbishing the building, they put up the first glass sheet front facade ever put up in Manila.

In 1910, Samuel F. Gaches was treasurer of a Philippine corporation which took over all assets of Heacock & Freer. They obtained permission from Dr. Burke to put up a four-storey building at David corner Escolta Streets. It was then considered to be very modern and comparable to American department stores of the time. In 1919, they put up a seven- story building on the southeast corner of Escolta and David. At the same time, they opened branches in Iloilo, Cebu, Davao and Baguio. The seven- story building was destroyed by an earthquake in 1937 but was rebuilt in 1938. In 1938, Heacock's was envisioned to be one of Manila's more trendy department stores with its streamline Art Deco design.

Some of the American manufacturers whose products were sold at Heacock's were: Federal Cash Register Co,; General Motors, Frigidaire Division; International Silver Co.; Remington Rand Ine.; Typewriter Division; American Steel Export Co.; and Elgin Watch Co.

It was largely due to Samuel F. Gaches that Heacock's flourished to be the leading department store during the prewar years. He would become president and general manager of the company. Gaches was also vice-president of the Philippine American Drug Company.

Source:  Binondo In The Twentieth Century by Lorelei D.C. de Viana

Postcard showing the H.E Heacock Building (left) in Echague St. by Photo Supply Co. Circa 1910

Postcard of the H.E Heacock Building in Echague. Considered as Manila's leading Jewelry Store. Circa 1905

H.E Heacock Outdoor poster advertisement in 1937

H.E Heacock print advertisement in 1937

H.E Heacock print advertisement in 1923 published in Philippines Free Press

Real Photo Postcard of  H.E Heacock Building

H.E Heacock building on left.

Heacock's Department store in 1941.  Photo courtesy of Manila Nostalgia

Interior of Heacock's Department store in 1941.  Photo courtesy of Manila Nostalgia

Boxing medal made by H.E Heacock Co

Philippine Exposition medal made by H.E Heacock Co

Shooting medal / badge made by H.E Heacock Co.