Crews-Beggs and the 300 Block North Main, 1930s (PCHS collection)

This was the center of Pueblo’s business and shopping district before the building boom following World War II. All street car routes converged at 4th and Main. “Meet me in the lobby of Crews Beggs” was standard among shoppers. Parking spaces were at a premium. As yet there was no Midtown, nor Belmont, Sunset Park, eagle Ridge, only a run-down Union Ave., Mesa Junction, and Bessemer in addition to Downtown.

Crews-Beggs, shown in this picture, was founded in 1888 on Santa Fe Ave. As it became known throughout the lower Arkansas valley as a good quality, diversified department store, it expanded into several other buildings before settling in 1987 in two stories built for them by the Guggenheim family at 4th and Main. After a fire, the building was enlarged into four stories. The store retained its popularity until 1956 when it was sold following the death of Floyd Crews, son of one of the original partners who had taken over management. The name Crews-Beggs was retained until 1971 when it became Joslins. In 1976, Joslins (now Dillards) moved to Pueblo Mall and the old building at 4th and Main was town down to make way for the present parking lot.