William F. Gable founded the Gable's Department Store, in Altoona, PA, opening on March 1, 1884. The first incarnation of the store was a single room. In 1891, Gable's built a Victorian Neoclassical style building, in downtown Altoona. It was in this building that the Gable's Department Store became the forerunner of the modern department store. By 1913, Gable's was the most complete department store in the state of Pennsylvania. It had come to be known as "the people's store."
William Gable was also active in many community affairs.
After the death of William Gable, the William F. Gable Company continued to be run by the Gable family. In 1923, the company bought the WGAW AM radio station, and changed the name to WFBG, after William F. B. Gable. In 1948, WFBG FM was licensed. In 1952, WFBG-TV was licensed, with its first broadcast being March 1, 1953. The television station was sold in 1956. It still operates today as WTAJ. In 1968, the Gable's Department Store was sold to L.S. Good & Co. In 1980, L.S. Good filed for bankruptcy and the store was closed, and all that remained of the once mighty store was a sign, on a now empty building. The closing of Gable's was the beginning of the end for downtown Altoona. Soon after, most of the larger stores were gone from the area.
William Gable was also active in many community affairs.
After the death of William Gable, the William F. Gable Company continued to be run by the Gable family. In 1923, the company bought the WGAW AM radio station, and changed the name to WFBG, after William F. B. Gable. In 1948, WFBG FM was licensed. In 1952, WFBG-TV was licensed, with its first broadcast being March 1, 1953. The television station was sold in 1956. It still operates today as WTAJ. In 1968, the Gable's Department Store was sold to L.S. Good & Co. In 1980, L.S. Good filed for bankruptcy and the store was closed, and all that remained of the once mighty store was a sign, on a now empty building. The closing of Gable's was the beginning of the end for downtown Altoona. Soon after, most of the larger stores were gone from the area.
William F. Gable founded the Gable's Department Store, in Altoona, PA, opening on March 1, 1884. The first incarnation of the store was a single room. In 1891, Gable's built a Victorian Neoclassical style building, in downtown Altoona. It was in this building that the Gable's Department Store became the forerunner of the modern department store. By 1913, Gable's was the most complete department store in the state of Pennsylvania. It had come to be known as "the people's store."
William Gable was also active in many community affairs.
After the death of William Gable, the William F. Gable Company continued to be run by the Gable family. In 1923, the company bought the WGAW AM radio station, and changed the name to WFBG, after William F. B. Gable. In 1948, WFBG FM was licensed. In 1952, WFBG-TV was licensed, with its first broadcast being March 1, 1953. The television station was sold in 1956. It still operates today as WTAJ. In 1968, the Gable's Department Store was sold to L.S. Good & Co. In 1980, L.S. Good filed for bankruptcy and the store was closed, and all that remained of the once mighty store was a sign, on a now empty building. The closing of Gable's was the beginning of the end for downtown Altoona. Soon after, most of the larger stores were gone from the area.
William Gable was also active in many community affairs.
After the death of William Gable, the William F. Gable Company continued to be run by the Gable family. In 1923, the company bought the WGAW AM radio station, and changed the name to WFBG, after William F. B. Gable. In 1948, WFBG FM was licensed. In 1952, WFBG-TV was licensed, with its first broadcast being March 1, 1953. The television station was sold in 1956. It still operates today as WTAJ. In 1968, the Gable's Department Store was sold to L.S. Good & Co. In 1980, L.S. Good filed for bankruptcy and the store was closed, and all that remained of the once mighty store was a sign, on a now empty building. The closing of Gable's was the beginning of the end for downtown Altoona. Soon after, most of the larger stores were gone from the area.
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