I would like to know the name and history of a department store or
store that Gimbels department store took over in Philadelphia probably
inlate 1800's. The land was still owned by the Paul's of Philadelphia
and their estate until well into the mid 1900's

Any connection to a family named Paul appears erroneous.

From the listing for Ellis A. Gimbel from WHO'S WHO IN PENNSYLVANIA
(1904 edition):

"engaging in the department store business in Philadelphia under the
firm name of Gimbel Brothers in the large stores at Ninth and Market
Streets previously occupied by Granville, Haines & Co. and Wood, Brown
& Co."

City Directories, 1890s:

Wood, Brown & Co. sold drygoods and notions at 822, 824, and 826
Market Street.

Expansion of Gimbel Brothers at Ninth and Market:

ARCHITECTURE IN PHILADELPHIA: A GUIDE, by Edward Teitelman and Richard
W. Longstreth (1974, MIT)

Gimbels expanded to occupy Sharpless Building, Weightman Building
(constructed
in 1888 by Willis Hale), and Haines Building (constructed in 1893 by
Addison
Hutton).

An 1887 insurance map shows several four/five story dry goods stores
on the site of the later Gimbels. An 1896 map shows a seven story
building.

In 1900 Francis Kimball constructed the famous Gimbel store occupying
the entire block between 8th and 9th on Market St.

and:

http://www.philadelphiabuildings.org

The above information was found, compiled, and provided by the fine
people at the Free Library of Philadephia. Many thanks for their
diligence.

http://www.library.phila.gov

Make a donation to the Free Library.

hlabadie-ga