Zollinger-Harned Company Building, United States historic place
The Zollinger-Harned Company Building is a department store constructed in the mid-1920s in Allentown, Pennsylvania, displaying Classical Revival style with terra cotta decorations and bronze window frames. The structure spans multiple connected buildings in a T-shape with large glass windows that once displayed hundreds of items from clothing and toys to jewelry and household goods.
The business began in 1866 as a small shop and grew under William R. Lawfer and later his sons into a major department store, taking the name Zollinger-Harned in 1909. The grand building opened in 1926 and remained a major retail destination for over a century until closing in 1978 due to the rise of suburban shopping malls.
The building served as a gathering place for families and the community, especially during the Christmas season when its popular Toyland section featuring a Santa Claus visit drew children and parents alike. This special experience transformed shopping into a social event that went beyond simply buying goods.
The renovated building is easily accessible on Hamilton Street and North Sixth Street in Allentown and now houses office suites and retail spaces on the ground floor. It remains a publicly visible landmark that you can explore on foot, especially if you appreciate the decorative details and architectural elements that tell its story.
The store was among the first in Allentown to create a Christmas Toyland department featuring a large Santa Claus figure in 1904, later introducing a live Santa with a special mailbox for children's letters in 1905. This innovation turned holiday shopping into a festive family experience and inspired other stores to create similar Christmas attractions.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
