John G. Myers Company was a department store in Albany, New York built in 1887 and owned by John Gillespy Myers.[1][2] The building where the store was located, a five-story structure at 39 N. Pearl St., collapsed on August 8, 1905 killing 13 people.[3] The collapse was the worst disaster of its kind in Albany's history at the time.[4] Charges of manslaughter and criminal negligence were made against the building's contractor, John Dyer Jr., and architect, Clark L. Daggett, but a grand jury failed to convict them and the charges were dropped.[2]
| Industry | Department store retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1887 |
| Founder | John Gillespy Myers  |
| Defunct | 1970 |
After the collapse the store reopened at 37 N. Pearl St. and stayed in business until 1970.[5]
References edit
- ^ Craig, P. (November 22, 2011). "John Gillespy Myers". Find A Grave. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
- ^ a b Lais, C. J. (July 18, 2019). "From the archives: A deadly department store collapse, and more". Times Union.
- ^ "SCORES ARE BURIED IN BIG STORE RUINS; Thirty Dead, Firm's Estimate, in Albany Building Collapse. RESCUERS STILL HEAR MOANS Hospitals Filled with Injured; Ten Bodies Found – Careless Workmen to Blame. SCORES ARE BURIED IN BIG STORE RUINS". The New York Times. August 9, 1905. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
- ^ "Albany, NY Department Store Collapse, Aug 1905 – Walls Cave In".
- ^ "John G. Myers (1831–1901): Owner of Myers department store". Times Union. Retrieved March 15, 2018.