Northcott & Buffington
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One of the city’s earliest retail stores, the Northcott & Buffington
men’s clothing store, was founded in 1888 by two of Huntington’s
most prominent residents: Gustavus A. Northcott
and Peter Cline Buffington II.
Photo courtesy MU Library Special Collections
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One of the
city’s earliest retail stores, the Northcott & Buffington
men’s lothing store, was founded by two of Huntington’s
most prominent residents: Gustavus A. Northcott
and Peter Cline Buffington II.
Born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in 1861, Northcott was a well-known
investor in several businesses, including the Huntington Hospital
Association and the Huntington Herald newspaper. Entering
politics, he represented Cabell County in the West
Virginia House of Delegates and was president
of the State Senate from 1905 to 1907.
Peter Cline Buffington II was the son of Huntington’s
first mayor, Peter Cline Buffington. Like Northcott,
he was elected to the House of Delegates. He served
as Cabell County sheriff from 1913 to 1916.
In 1888, Northcott sold his interest in Northcott & Kelly and
formed a new partnership with Buffington, opening
a store, Northcott & Buffington, in the McCrory
building on the south side of the avenue.
After three years, Buffington retired
and the business continued as
G.A. Northcott Co.
Soon after this, the shop moved to the Foster Building,
which was located on the southwest corner of 9th
Street and 3rd Avenue. After this move, the
business was incorporated under the name
Northcott-Tate-Hagy Co. In 1906, it
moved once again, this time to the
Frederick Hotel Building
on 4th Avenue.
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Note: This Article and picture appeared in the Herald-Dispatch Newspaper on Aug. 20, 2024.
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