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PrintA history of Miss Jackson's
From the birth of Nelle Shields Jackson to the shop's 100th birthday.
July 13, 1872 — Nelle Shields Jackson is born in Pennsylvania.
Summer 1907 — Jackson’s dream of opening her own shop is born.
Fall 1907 — While working in Pittsburgh, a chance encounter with a Tulsan plants the idea in Jackson of moving to the obscure oil town.
1907-1909 — Jackson works as a corsetiere for the Vandever brothers.
1910 — The first Miss Jackson’s Shop opens for business, a lingerie shop on the balcony of a jewelry store in downtown Tulsa. After a few months, business is booming and the shop moves into a larger building on South Main Street, where Jackson shares space with another of Tulsa’s new shops also destined for longevity, Mrs. DeHaven’s Flower Shop.
1916 — Tulsa is becoming the “Oil Capital of the World,” downtown streets are being paved and Jackson decides to move her shop to the new Sinclair Building at Fifth and Main streets. Here she introduces a new concept to Tulsa shoppers, gift wrapping. This was the first step of implementing Jackson’s belief that “Miss Jackson’s Shop exists for the sole purpose of making life more elegant, more enjoyable and more relaxed for its patrons; and, in the world of real values, culture counts for more than coin.”
1916-1920 — The Lusitania sinks, the first woman is elected to Congress in Montana, General Pershing leads a raid into Mexico in search of Pancho Villa and Charlie Chaplin is the up-and-coming young actor of the day. Meanwhile, Jackson is making her dream a reality and helping dreams be realized for her many patrons. 
1920s — The Roaring ’20s are in full swing and high fashion is important to Tulsa’s world travelers. Elegant gowns are designed, stylish hats are created and the most important brides’ gowns are designed and fitted at Miss Jackson’s. Jackson also designs the first uniforms for Holland Hall, the newest private school in Tulsa.
1927 — Tulsa oilman Waite Phillips, a friend and patron of Jackson, decides to build a “skyscraper” in downtown Tulsa. The Philtower Building will be the highest structure in Tulsa and will house only the finest businesses and shops. Miss Jackson’s Shop is the first tenant he seeks and signs.
April 2, 1928 — Grand opening of Miss Jackson’s new shop in the Philtower Building. Only the finest china and silver are used and champagne is sipped from the finest crystal. Models from New York City display the latest fashions from the world’s most famous designers. 
1930s — The Great Depression strikes the nation and Tulsa. Jackson struggles to keep Miss Jackson’s Shop open during these trying times but is successful with the support of her many friends and patrons and her determination to keep her dream alive.
1940-1950s — Miss Jackson’s Shop flourishes and Jackson retires from daily management of the shop because of failing health in the mid-’50s.
1964 — The Vandever Co. purchases Miss Jackson’s Shop and plans to move the shop to the newest exclusive shopping area in midtown Tulsa, Utica Square.
Aug. 29, 1965 — A champagne gala celebration marks the grand opening of Miss Jackson’s Shop in Utica Square.
June 30, 1966 — Jackson dies at age 93.
Oct. 27, 1967 — William F. Fisher Sr. purchases Miss Jackson’s Shop from Vandever’s with William F. Fisher Jr. as president.
Sept. 27, 2001 — Fisher Jr. retires and Miss Jackson’s Shop is sold to the Utica Square Shopping Center, Helmerich & Payne Inc.
2010 — Miss Jackson’s celebrates 100 years and continues to flourish.
