1838 -A Century -1938 

 of Horticultural Service 



The year 1938 marks the Hundredth Anniversary of Henry A. Dreer, Inc. 

 It was in 1838 that Henry A. Dreer, a young man of 20, founded the business in 

 the heart of what in those days was the central business district of Philadelphia. 

 Located at 97 Chestnut Street, it stood alongside the Bank of North America 

 with historical Carpenters' Hall and Independence Hall just a short distance 

 away. The young enterprise proved successful from the start, guided by the 

 high ideals of the founder whose integrity and methods of fair dealing attracted 

 an ever widening circle of gardeners. His broad horticultural knowledge and 

 reliability won him the respect of a large clientele. A catalog, simple compared 

 with this Hundredth Anniversary Edition, and advertising in the best publica- 

 tions of the day stimulated the business which soon became a leader in the 

 industry. After 10 years in the original location larger quarters were found at 

 59 Chestnut Street. Another decade found the ever-growing business at 

 117 Chestnut Street. In 1863, the year of the Battle of Gettysburg, another 

 change was made to 714 Chestnut Street. This address remained the home of 

 the firm from the days of the Civil War until after the World War. 



By 1924 the available space had become so inadequate that a modern fire- 

 proof eight-story building was erected at 1306 Spring Garden Street where the 

 business is now located. The founder personally conducted the business until 

 his death in December, 1873, when his son William F. Dreer took charge. 

 Instilled with the ideals of his father and endowed with health, youth, keen 

 mentality, and personal charm he led the business to still greater success. 

 In 1892 William F. Dreer formed a corporation permitting the heads of the 

 departments to become stockholders. This policy has been continued ever since. 



The Dreer Building 



1306 Spring Garden Street 



Piiiladelphia, Pa. 



Chestnut Street one hundred years ago looking 

 from Third Street toward the Delaware River 



