John Lutz Hatter advertisement, May 4, 1904 Illinois State Journal (courtesy State Journal-Register)
Hats were a high-fashion item for men in 1904, and John Lutz, one of downtown’s longest-lasting hatters and haberdashers, offered a lot of choices.
John Lutz (courtesy SJ-R)
When he died, Lutz (1856-1921) had sold men’s clothing from the same address, 204 S. Sixth St., for 38 years.
“Mr. Lutz’s extensive acquaintance and his many years of connection with the business made him one of the best known and most prosperous merchants in the city,” his obituary said.
John Lutz’s son, John Palmer Lutz, continued the business for four more years.
In January 1925, however, a fire at Furlong Dry Goods next door did $11,000 worth of smoke and water damage to Lutz’s stock. That probably contributed to John Palmer Lutz’s decision to close the haberdashery six months later.
As of 2018, the location was part of the Delano Law Offices building, 1 SE Old State Capitol Plaza.
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