The J. L. Hudson Co., Detroit, Michiganlife insurance cost

The J.L. Husdson Co. dominated the retail scene
in Detroit in much the same way its massive,
red-brick store dominated Woodward Avenue,
the city's main artery.

The Grand River Ave. side of the store
reveals how Hudson's was built up,
one addition at a time to become one of the
largest department stores in the world.

Though on the site of one of Hudson's oldest
components, the Farmer Street side
of the store was one of the building's
later additions.

The J.L. Hudson Co. Tower, emblazoned
with HUDSON'S outlined in red neon
was a landmark visible from miles away,
and separated the Farmer Street and Grand
River Avenue buildings.

In December of 1958, LIFE magazine showed a cut-away
view of Hudson's, showing the vast array of activity in
the story at the height of its glory.

The J.L. Hudson Co.
1200 Woodward Avenue
Setroit, Michigan

CApitol 3-5100

Second Basement
Hudson’s Budget Store • Breadstick in the Basement

First Basement
Hudson's Budget Store

First Floor
Woodward Avenue Jewelry • Fashion Watches • Leather Goods • Gloves • Handbags • Scarves • Belts • Hosiery • Aisles of Beauty • Toiletries • Watches • Blouses • Fine Jewelry • Miss Detroiter Sportswear • Sweaters
Grand River Avenue Men’s Furnishings • Men’s Accessories • Dress Shirts • Ties • Pajamas • Shirts • Accessories • Hosiery • The Sportsman
Farmer Street Hudson’s Bakery • Pantry Shop • The Wine Cellar • Candy Shop • Miss Detroiter Lingerie

Mezzanine
Woodward Avenue Jewelry Repair • Health and Beauty Aids • Pharmacy • Hudson’s Optical • Clock Shop
Grand River Avenue Book Shop • Stationery • Greeting Cards • Adult Games • Luggage
Farmer Street Piccadilly Circus Cafeteria • Coins & Stamps

Second Floor
Woodward Avenue Men’s Suits • Men’s Coats • Contemporary Man • New Directions • Men’s Shoes • That Guy • Casino Shop • University Shop • The Threadmill
Grand River Avenue Sporting Goods • Ski Shop • Golf Shop • Cameras and Supplies
Farmer Street "Ask Mr. Foster" Travel Service • Post Office • Men’s Will Call • Boys 4-7 • Boys 8-20

Third Floor
Woodward Avenue Sheets • Blankets • Pillows • Bath Shop
Grand River Avenue Picture Shop • Table Linens • Hudson's Dry Cleaning
Farmer Street Hudson’s Sewing Center • Fabrics • Notions • Patterns • Sewing Machines • Repair Center

Fourth Floor
Woodward Avenue Baby’s Own Shop • Infant’s Layette • Toddler’s Shop • Fresh Flower Shop
Grand River Avenue Children’s Shoes • Girls 3-6x • Girls 7-14 • Little Miss Hudson • Sub Teen Shop • Young Accessories • Girl Scout Supplies
Farmer Street Nursery Furniture • O’Connor Portrait Studio • Writing Lounge • Tourneur Salon • Snack Bar

Fifth Floor
Woodward Avenue Home and Town Dresses • Today’s Woman • Pacemaker Shop • Lingerie • Sleepwear • Loungewear
Grand River Avenue A Nice Girl Like You... • Deb Shop • High School Shop
Farmer Street Equestrienne Shop • Foundations

Sixth Floor
Woodward Avenue Bridal Salon • Coat Shop • Suit Shop • Miss Detroiter Dresses • St. Clair Dresses • Social Occasion
Grand River Avenue Fur Salon • Contemporary Collections • St. Clair Sportswear • Fashion Shoes • Miss Detroiter Shoes • Leisure Footwear
Farmer Street Maternity Shop

Seventh Floor
Woodward Avenue The Woodward Shops Green Room • Better Coats • Miss Hudson • Town & Country • The Individualist • French Room Millinery • The Crystal Room
Grand River Avenue Shoe Salon • Shoe Repair
Farmer Street J. L. Hudson Gallery • Old Print Shop

Eighth Floor
Woodward Avenue Studio of Interior Decoration • Furniture Galleries
Grand River Avenue Curtains • Draperies • Closet Shop Farmer Street Floor Coverings • Rugs • Oriental Rug Gallery • Home Planning Bureau • Home Improvement

Ninth Floor
Woodward Avenue Bed Room Furniture • Dining Room Furniture • Colonial Furniture
Grand River Avenue Model Rooms
Farmer Street Living Room Furniture • Occasional Furniture

Tenth Floor
Woodward Avenue China • Glassware • Silver Gallery • Gifts • Collector’s Gallery • Bride’s Registry • Gift Wrap • Fireplace Shop
Grand River Avenue Appliances • Garden Shop • Pet Shop
Farmer Street Housewares • Marketplace • Small Electrical Appliances • Cleaning Materials • Hardware • Tools • Paint • Kitchen Planning Service • Lighting Fixtures

Eleventh Floor
Woodward Avenue Lamps • Pictures • Mirrors • Candles
Grand River Avenue Cash Office • Credit Office
Farmer Street Executive Offices

Twelfth Floor
Woodward Avenue Auditorium • Little Auditorium
Grand River Avenue Alterations • Children's Barber Shop
Farmer Street Toytown • Artists' Supplies • Christmas Trim Shop

Thirteenth Floor
Grand River Avenue Pianos and Organs • Music Store • Records • Stereos • Televisions
Farmer Street Riverview Room • The Beef Emporium (Pine Room) • Executive Dining Room

Fourteenth Floor
Grand River Avenue Personnel • Hudson’s Beauty Salon • Children’s Barber Shop
Farmer Street Employees Cafeteria

Fifteenth Floor
Grand River Avenue Receiving and Marking
Farmer Street Display Department

Sixteenth Floor
Grand River Avenue Buyers' Offices • Import Office • Carpenter Shop • Receiving and Marking

Seventeenth Floor
Grand River Avenue Fur Storage • Paint Shop • Elevator Equipment

Eighteenth Floor
Grand River Avenue Paymaster • Auditing • Storage

Nineteenth Floor
Grand River Avenue Advertising • Public Relations • Training

Twentieth Floor
Grand River Avenue Order Board • Supplies • Telephone Equipment

Twenty-First Floor
Grand River Avenue Laundry • Sign And Print Shop

Twenty-Second Floor
Grand River Avenue Maintenance

Twenty-Third Floor
Grand River Avenue Equipment

Twenty-Fourth Floor
Hudson Tower Water Supply • Executive Exercise Room

Twenty-Fifth Floor
Hudson Tower Water Supply

(2,124,000 s.f.)