ms-189 rikes historical collection collection number rikes historical collection contains...

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MS-189 Rikes Historical Collection

Collection Number: MS-189

Title: Rikes Historical Collection

Dates: 1858-1989 (bulk 1920-1980)

Creator: Rike-Kumler Company

Summary/Abstract: Consists of files kept by the Rike-Kumler Department Store to use as a

resource for advertisements and anniversary celebrations. Includes photographs of Rike's stores,

window displays, and promotional events, as well as various company publications, audio

recordings of both Frederick Rike and David Rike, press releases, executive biographies, and

advertisements.

Quantity/Physical Description: 6 linear feet

Language(s): English

Repository:

Special Collections and Archives, Paul Laurence Dunbar Library, Wright State University,

Dayton, OH 45435-0001, (937) 775-2092.

Restrictions on Access: There are no restrictions on accessing material in this collection.

Restrictions on Use:

Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright.

Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright

holder.

Preferred Citation:

MS-189, Rikes Historical Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries,

Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.

Related Material:

MS-452 Dorothy Harbach Papers

Acquisition: This collection of historical material from the Rike-Kumler Company was acquired

in the spring of 1988 as a result of the impending break-up of the Federated Chain of Department

Stores.

Accruals: Since the original donation, a number of additions have been added to the collection.

Custodial History: Before arriving at Wright State University, the records were kept at the

company’s archives.

http://www.libraries.wright.edu/special/collection_guides/guide_files/ms452.pdf

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Other Finding Aid: A finding aid for this collection is available online at

http://www.libraries.wright.edu/special/collection_guides/guide_files/ms189.pdf .

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements: Sound recordings and film are

included in the collection. These formats require digitization for access.

Processed by: Jane Bolka, Spring, 1989. Updated by Matthew Francis, April 2008, and Jeremy

Feador, January, 2009.

Arrangement:

The Rikes Historical Collection is organized into 9 series:

Series I: Company Printed Materials

Series II: Store Promotions & Other Promotional Material

Series III: Speeches, Biographies, and Press Releases

Series IV: Company Programs and Operations

Series V: Slides

Subseries V A: Displays

Subseries V B: Events, Buildings, and People

Series VI: Photographs

Subseries VI 1: Displays

Subseries VI 2: Buildings, Events, People, and Miscellaneous

Series VII: Ephemera

Series VIII: Audio & Visual Materials

Series IX: Blueprints

Oversized

Historical Note:

On March 9, 1853, “Gideon G. Prugh, James J. Joice and David L. Rike announced that

“Prugh, Joice & Rike.. Third Street opposite the Methodist church..are now receiving and

opening, direct from New York and Philadelphia, dry goods…in the room formerly occupied by

Gebhart’s.” It encompassed only 2,500 sq. ft. and employed four sales people.”

In 1868 “Incorporated as D.L. Rike & Company with R.I. Cummin and Samuel E.

Kumler, Mr. Rike’s brother-in-law, as partners.” In 1870 “Rike’s began to expand, opening a

“suburban” store at 235 Fifth Street under the name of Rike, Hassler & Company.” In 1977 Rike,

Hassler & Co. moved to new, larger quarters at 417-419 E. Fifth where it continued in business

into 1894 (the year after the parent firm opened its new store.)” In 1893 Rikes opened a new

http://www.libraries.wright.edu/special/collection_guides/guide_files/ms189.pdf

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building at Fourth and Main Streets. The building was designed after the Exposition Building at

the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

By 1912 Rikes had moved to Second and Main. 1913 saw the Flood of Dayton ruin the

main floor and basement. In 1915 an addition for men’s wear was added. 1918 saw Rike’s join

eight other independent stores to form the Associated Merchandising Corporation.

In 1938 an eight floor was added. The addition included air-conditioning and four

elevators. 1950 saw the formation of the Rike’s 20 Year club. The Rikes parking garage was

opened in 1959. During this time Rike’s became a Division of the Federated Department Stores.

Rikes opened up branches in 1963 and 64 in Salem and Kettering. (Information from Box 6 File

1 125th Anniversary)

After the death of D.L. Rike, his son, Frederick, became the company’s president. The

business continued to thrive and expansion again became necessary. Rike’s continued to grow

and David Rike, Frederick’s son, eventually took over as president of the firm.

Rike’s celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1953 and 125th in 1978. In 1982 the company

merged with Cincinnati’s Shillito’s Department Store and became Shillito-Rikes. In 1986 that

corporation became Lazarus.

In 1999 the Rikes Building was destroyed to make way for development. Today a

performance arts center stands where the Rikes building was located.

Scope and Content:

The Rikes Historical Collection contains information about the store’s history,

promotion, expansion, and presidents. The collection is mostly made up of slides and

photographs. The collection spans from the mid to late 1800s to 1980s.

Series I, Company Printed Materials, contains a vast amount of information pertaining to

the individuals that worked at Rikes. The Arkay News was produced by Rike’s employees for

the employees and offer insight into what it was like to work for Rikes. The years span 1928-

1982. Also in the series that relates to the employees are employee manuals and Twenty Year

Club Banquet Programs.

Series II, Store Promotions & Other Promotional Material, contains a variety of

information concerning promotions at Rikes. The information covers many of Rike’s major

promotions such as Christmas, Anniversaries, and the Foreign Bazaar. Advertisements are also

included, however some will be found in the oversized boxes near the end of the collection.

Series III, Speeches, Biographies, and Press Releases, contains information about the

store’s executives. The bulk of the collection concerns David Rike. Many of his honorary

degrees, from such institutions as University of Dayton and Antioch College, are located in the

series. Other information pertains to awards and praise for David Rike.

Series IV, Company Programs and Operations, contains information on the operation of

the company. Two financial ledgers contain information concerning Rike’s early years offer

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information about financial transactions during the time span of 1880 to the early 1900s. A

membership ledger, Xenia tornado program, and 20 Year Club Notes are also noteworthy.

Series V, Slides, make up the bulk of the collection. The slides span the years 1961 to

1987. The series is broken down into two subseries. Subseries A contains slides of Rike’s

displays, such as Christmas and seasonal displays. Subseries B contains slides of events,

buildings, and people.

Series VI, Photographs, make up the other bulk of the collection. Many of the photos are

undated; however, the collection spans a substantial amount of time. The pictures are broken

down into subseries. Subseries A contains Rike’s window displays as well as other displays. The

subseries also contains the famous Rike’s Christmas Displays (Box 51 File 7 to Box 52 File 5).

Subseries B contains buildings, events, people, and miscellaneous. Box 54 File 1 contains

photographs of early construction of the Rikes Building. Other photos include the 20 Year Club

(Box 57 File 2 through Box 58 File 1) and the Centennial Blimp (Box 58 File 4).

Series VII contains ephemera. Two scrapbooks are available, boxes 60 and 61, which

chronicle different time periods of Rike’s history. Other items include the first pair of scissors

used in the silk department as well as pieces of wrapping paper used in Rikes.

Series VIII contains audio and visual materials relating to Rikes. The bulk of the

collection consists of vinyl records from the program “Grandma Shopped Here.” Other items

include a vinyl record of a speech given by David Rike in 1938 (Box 64 File 1), cassette tapes

(Box 63 File 2), and rolled film (Box 64 File 6, 7).

Series IX contains blueprints for the Rikes building. Several blueprints are located in the

oversized drawers. [See Oversized Drawer 13 File 1] Other blueprints include the set up for the

Christmas display (Box 65 File 8) and main store addition information (Box 65 File 2).

Oversized: The oversized material is drawn from several series.

Subject Terms:

Persons/Families

Rike, David.

Rike, Frederick.

Organizations/Corporate Names

Rike-Kumler Company – History.

Places

Dayton (Ohio) – Commerce.

Subjects (General)

Show windows – Photographs.

Display of merchandise – Photographs.

Department stores – Ohio – Dayton – History.

Stores, Retail – Ohio – Dayton – History.

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Material Types

Photographs.

Slides (photographs)

Sound recordings.

Advertisements.

Newspapers.

Blueprints.

Speeches (documents)

Periodicals.

Collection Inventory

Series I Company Printed Materials

Box File Description Date

1 1 Arkay News (Bound) Mar.1928- Apr. 1945

2 Arkay News (Bound) Jun. 1945- Dec. 1947

3 Arkay News (Bound) Jan. 1951-Dec. 1954

4 Arkay News (Bound) Jan. 1966- June.1969

2 1 Arkay News (Bound) Jul. 1969- Oct. 1970

2 Arkay News (Bound) Oct. 1970- Dec. 1971

3 Arkay News (Bound) Jan. 1972- Nov. 1973

4 Arkay News (Loose) 1928-1945



3 1 Arkay News (Loose) 1971-1978

2 Arkay News (Loose) [See Oversized Box 66 File 1] 1979-1980


4 Silver Anniversary Pamphlet 1893

5 The Vision (Photocopied) 1921-1922

6 Employee Manuals 1942, 1982, undated

7 Soda Set Clicker 1945-1956

8 Rike’s Easter Publications 1949, 1950, 1953, 1956-

1957, undated

9 Twenty Year Club Banquet Programs 1945-1957

10 Soda Set Clicker (scrapbook) [See Oversized Box 66

File 2]

1947-1952

11 Rike’s Presentation Programs 1949-1953, 1957, 1959

12 Misc Circa 1940s-1950s

13 Twenty Year Club Banquet Programs 1958-1964

4 1 Twenty Year Club Banquet Programs 1965-1977

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4 2 Twenty Year Club Banquet Programs 1978-1989

3 Innerview. 1982-1983

4 Meet Main Street [See Oversized Box 66 File 3] Undated

Series II Store Promotions & Other Promotional Material


4 5 Miscellaneous Promotions 1938

6 Trade Publications Periodicals

[See Oversized Box 65 File 4 for years 1938, 1956]

1911;1938; 1943;1952-56

7 A Million in December 1922

8 Dayton Magazine [See Oversized Box 66 File 5] 1924,1978

9 Christmas Publications 1928,1952, undated

10 Misc. Clippings, Articles, and Advertisements [See

Oversized Box 66 File 6]

Circa 1930

11 Greater Rike’s 85th Anniversary 1938

12 Shopping With Cornelia TV Program May 1951

5 1 Shopping With Cornelia TV Program Nov 1951

2 Foreign Bazaar 1953

3 Centennial 1953

4 Centennial Diorama 1953

5 Advertisements [See Oversized Box 66 File 7] 1953, 1966

6 Foreign Bazaar 1956

7 College Board 1957-1958

8 Teen Board 1957-1960

9 115th Anniversary 1968

10 Dayton Mall 1969

11 Upper Valley Mall 1971

6 1 125th Anniversary 1978

2 Salem Mall 1981

3 Newspaper Poster [See Oversized Box 66 File 8] Jul. 26, 1987

4 Misc. Promotional Pamphlets 1957 & Undated

Series III Speeches, Biographies, and Press Releases


6 5 Newspaper Articles [See Oversized Box 66 File 9 &

10]

Circa 1860; c1880; 1984-

1913; c1920s

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6 Telegram 1938

7 David Rike: Appreciation Awards [See Oversized

Box 67 File 1]

1953, undated


6 8 TOBE Award 1954,1955

9 Resolutions-David Rike [See Oversized Box 67 File

2]

1955,1971, 1973, undated

10 University of Dayton Degree [See Oversized Box 67

File 3]

June 8, 1957

11 Speech: David Rike 1959

12 Various Degrees [See Oversized Box 67 File 4 for

Antioch Degree]

1959, 1965, 1977, 1979,

undated

13 Speech: Frederick H. Rike 1959, undated

14 Speeches and Press Releases Circa 1950s

15 Federated Department Store Executives Circa 1960

16 Federated Department Store Executives Circa 1960

17 Proclamation [See Oversized Box 67 File 5] Dec. 15, 1970

18 Rike Commencement Photo [See Oversized Box 67

File 6]

Circa 1977

19 David Rike Cover Image Dayton Daily News

Leisure News Magazine [See Oversized Box 67 File

7]

Sep. 20, 1981

20 D.L. Rike Portrait [See Oversized Box 67 File 8] undated

Series IV Company Programs and Operations


7 1 Business Documents Circa 1860, 1955

2 Reports on the prospects of the Rike-Kumler

Company and of the Dayton Industrial Area

1944

3 20 Year Club Notes 1949

4 Xenia Tornado Disaster Program 1974

8 1 Financial Ledger Circa 1880

9 1 Financial Ledger Circa 1890s-1900s

10 1 Membership Ledger 1918-1949

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Series V

Slides

Subseries V

A:

Displays

Box

10a

10b

10c

File

1

1

1

Description

Displays

Displays

Displays

Date

1958-1960

1958-1960

1958-1960

11 1 Displays Mar. 1961-Sep. 1961

2 Displays Sep. 1961- May 1962

12 1 Displays May 1962-Sep. 1962

2 Displays Oct. 1962-Mar. 1963

3 Displays Mar. 1963- Jun. 1963

13 1 Displays Jun. 1963- Aug. 1963

2 Displays Sep. 1963- Apr. 1964

3 Displays Apr. 1964- Jul. 1964

14 1 Displays Jul. 1964- Jan. 1965

2 Displays Jan. 1965-Apr.1965

3 Displays Apr.1965- Jun. 1965

15 1 Displays Jun. 1965-Aug. 1965

2 Displays Sep. 1965- Dec. 1965

3 Displays Feb.1966- Aug. 1966

16 1 Displays Aug. 1966- Nov. 1966

2 Displays Nov. 1966- Dec. 1966

3 Displays 1963-1966

17 1 Displays-Foreign Bazaar 1964-1965

2 Displays- Foreign Bazaar 1965-1966

3 Displays Jan. 1967- Mar. 1967

18 1 Displays Mar. 1967- Jul. 1967

2 Displays Jul. 1967- Oct. 1967

3 Displays Oct. 1967

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19 1 Displays Nov. 1967- Dec.1967

2 Displays Jan.1968- Apr.1968

3 Displays Apr. 1968- Sep. 1968

20 1 Displays Sep. 1968- Nov. 1968

2 Displays Nov. 1968- Dec. 1968

3 Displays Dec.1968- Feb.1969

21 1 Displays Feb.1969- Mar. 1969


21 2 Displays May 1969-Aug. 1969

3 Displays Aug. 1969- Nov. 1969

22 1 Displays Dec. 1969-

Jan. 1970

2 Displays Jan. 1970-Apr.1970

23 1 Displays Apr.1970-Jul. 1970

2 Displays Jul. 1970- Aug. 1970

3 Displays Sep. 1970- Dec. 1970

24 1 Displays Dec. 1970-Apr.1971

2 Displays Apr.1971-Aug.1971

3 Displays Aug. 1971- Oct.1971

25 1 Displays Nov. 1971- Dec.1971

2 Displays Dec. 1971- Mar. 1972

3 Displays Apr.1972- Aug.1972

26 1 Displays Aug.1972- Oct.1972

2 Displays Oct. 1972-Dec. 1972

3 Displays-Branches Misc 1964-1972

27 1 Displays Feb. 1973- Apr.1973

2 Displays Apr.1973- Sep. 1973

3 Displays Sep. 1973-Dec.1973

28 1 Displays Dec. 1973

2 Displays May 1974- Sep. 1974

3 Displays May 1974- Sep. 1974

29 1 Christmas Displays 1974-1975

30 1 Displays Oct.1974- Jan. 1975

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2 Displays Jan. 1975- Jun. 1975

3 Displays-Euroshop 1975

31 1 Displays Jan. 1976- Dec. 1976

32 1 Xmas 1976 (1 of 2) 1976

2 Xmas 1976 (2 of 2) 1976

3 Christmas Slides 1977

4 Displays (1 of 2) Jan. 1978- Jun. 1978


33 1 Window displays 1977

34 1 Displays (2 of 2) Jan. 1978- Jun. 1978

2 Displays- Kettering 1978

34 3 Displays Jan. 1979- Nov. 1979

4 Displays (1 of 2) Jan. 1979- Nov. 1979

5 Displays (2 of 2) Jan. 1979- Nov. 1979

35 1 Displays Jul. 1978-Dec. 1978

36 1 Christmas 1979

2 Displays 1980

3 1980 up to Christmas Windows 1980

37 1 1980 up to Christmas Windows 1980

2 Displays Jan. 1981- Dec. 1981

38 1 Toy Fair- Santaland 1981-1982

2 Displays 1983

3 Displays 1984

4 Displays 1985

5 Displays Dec. 1985

39 1 Displays Jan. 1986- Jun. 1986

2 Displays Jun. 1986- Dec. 1986

3 Displays 1986

4 Displays- Kingsdale and Home & Garden Color

Window

1987, undated

40 1 Christmas 1987

2 Interior Slides Undated

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Subseries V

B:

Events, Buildings, and People


41 1 Special Events 1961-1971

2 Twenty Year Club-“Remember When Theater” 1970

3 Special Events 1971- 1975

4 Rike’s Christmas 1975

42 1 125th Anniversary 1978

Box File

Description Date

42 2 “Fashion Living for Today” Undated

3 Unknown Presentations Undated

4 Building. 1964-74, undated

6 Miscellaneous Graphics & Special Effects Undated

7 No Subject Undated

Series VI Photographs

Subseries

VI A:

Displays


43 1 Window Displays Undated

2 Window Displays Undated













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Box File

Description

Date




47 1 Window & Interior Displays 1977

2 Window & Interior Displays Undated






48 1 Window & Interior Displays Undated








49 1 Window & Interior Displays Undated



4 Interior Building & Displays Undated



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50 1 Interior Building & Displays Undated

50 2 Interior Building & Displays Undated

3 Interior Building & Displays [See Oversized Box 68

File 1]

Undated

4 Mall Displays Undated

5 Mall Displays Undated

6 Misses Displays 1930s

7 Misses Displays 1930s

51 1 Misses Displays 1930s

2 Misses Displays 1957

3 Misses Displays Circa 1980s

4 Misses Displays Undated

Box

5

File

Misses Displays

Description

Undated

Date

51 6 Foreign Bazaar 1955

7 Christmas Windows 1928, 1932-1935

8 Christmas Displays 1952

9 Christmas Displays 1953-1959

10 Christmas Displays 1960, 1966, 1972

11 Christmas Displays Circa 1987

52 1 Christmas Displays Circa 1988

2 Christmas Displays Undated

3 Christmas Displays [See Oversized Box 68 File 2] Undated

4 Christmas Horses 1977

5 Christmas Elf House

Undated

6 Non-Merchandise Displays Undated

7 Non-Merchandise Displays-Dioramas Undated

53 1 Window Displays (mounted) Undated

2 Window Displays (mounted) Undated

3 Christmas Displays (mounted) [See oversized Box

File]

Undated

4 Non-Merchandise Displays (mounted) Undated

5 Non-Merchandise Displays (mounted) Undated

Subseries

VI B:

Buildings, Events, People, and Miscellaneous

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54 1 Construction Circa 1858- 1956

54 2 Building Exterior & Construction Circa 1858- 1956

3 Building Exterior & Construction Circa 1858- 1956

4 Building Exterior & Construction Circa 1858- 1956

5 Building Interior & Construction Undated

6 Exterior Building Undated

7 Exterior Building Undated

8 Exterior Building [See Oversized Box 68 File 3] Undated

55 1 Building Fire 1953

2 Dayton Area High Schools Undated

Box

3

File

Misc

Description

Undated

Date

55 4 Parades Undated

5 Parades Undated

6 Children’s Parade Undated

7 Children’s Parade Undated

56 1 Toy Parade Photo Album 1934

57 1 Children’s Parade undated

2 20 Year Club Banquet 1960





7 20 Year Club Banquet, collected Undated




58 1 20 Year Club Banquet, collected Undated

2 Centennial (Blimp) 1953



5 Air Freight Anniversary 1960

6 Fashion Shows Undated

7 People Undated

8 People Undated

9 People Undated

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59 1 People Undated

2 Employee Photos Undated

59 3 The Rikes Undated

4 The Rikes Undated

5 Misc. Photos Undated

6 Fall Festival Advertisement Photos [See Oversized

Box 68 File 4]

Undated

7 Photographs in other department stores Undated

8 Negatives Undated

9 Negatives Undated

10 Photograph Strips Undated

11 D.L. Rike & Co. Wrapping Paper Undated

12 Misc. Rikes Memorabilia Undated

Series VII Ephemera


60 1 Scrapbook 1938

61 2 Scrapbook 1953

62 1 “His First Pair of Pants) 1914

2 D.L. Rike & Co. Wrapping Papers 1st store Undated

3 1st scissors used in Silk Department Undated

4 Rike’s Pin Undated

5 Receipt 1887

62a

6

7

8

1

2

Invoice

D.L. Rike Printing Stamp

Name tags, Rikes Cards, Ribbon

Bowling Trophy

Rikes Cigar Box

1853

1937

Undated

1951-1952

Undated

Series VIII Audio & Visual Materials


63 1 Speeches: Frederick/David Rike 1938


63 2 Cassette Tape Undated

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3 Magnetic Tape: Rike’s 26th 20 years Club

“Remember When Theater”

Undated

4 Magnetic Tape Undated

63 5 Magnetic Tape Undated

64 1 David Rike’s Address: New Building Dedication May 12, 1938

2 “Grandma Shopped Here” Program 1 Undated




6 Kodak Film Roll Undated

7 Kodachrome Film Undated

Series IX Blueprints


65 1 Christmas 1953: Staples-Smith inc. Measurements &

specifications Mr. J.E. Vent

1953

2 Rike’s Main Store Addition 1954

3 Blueprints 1954

Box

4

File

Addition Information

Description

1960

Date

65 5 Downtown expansion: Section 2- Master

Merchandise Plans C. Preliminary Floor Plan Book

[See Oversized Box 13 File 1]

1965

6 Rike’s Load Test 1965

7 Bloomingdale’s Fall and Christmas Set Up 1968

8 Christmas Set Up Blueprints 1979

9 Oversized Blueprints [See Oversized Drawer 13 File

1]

Undated

10 7th & 8th Floor Remodel Downtown Undated

11 Rike’s Kettering Blueprint [See Oversized Box 13

File 1]

Undated

Box File Oversized Date

66 1 Arkay News 1979-1980

2 Soda Set Clicker (Scrapbook) 1947-1952

3 Meet Main Street undated

4 Trade Publications 1938, 1956

5 Dayton Magazine 1924, 1978

6 Misc Clippings, Articles & Advertising Circa 1930s

7 Advertisements 1953, 1966, undated

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66 8 Newspaper Poster Jul. 26, 1987

9 Newspapers Circa 1860-circa 1880

10 Newspapers 1894-1912

67 1 David Rike Appreciation Awards 1953, undated

2 Resolutions Jan. 18, 1955, Jul. 12,

1973, Oct. 1, 1945, Nov.

15, 1982

3 University of Dayton Degree Jun. 8, 1957

4 Antioch College Honorary Degree Citation Jun. 20, 1959

5 Proclamation from State of Ohio Dec. 15, 1970

6 Rike Commencement Photograph Circa 1977

7 David Rike Cover Image Dayton Daily News

Leisure Magazine

Sep. 20, 1981

8 D.L. Rike Portrait Undated

68 1 Oversized Interior Photos Undated

2 Mounted Christmas Items, Oversized Undated

3 Oversized Photos of the Rike’s Building Undated

Box

4

File

Fall Festival Advertisement Photos

Description

Undated

Date

68 5 Downtown expansion: Section 2- Master

Merchandise Plans C. Preliminary Floor Plan Book

1965

6 Rike’s Kettering Blueprint Undated

[NOTE: More Oversized Photos can be found in

Oversized Drawer 13 File 1]