in 1826, english immigrant samuel lord founded the original lord & taylor store at 47 catherine street in what is now two bridges in lower manhattan. his wife's cousin george washington taylor, and later his brother-in-law james s. taylor, would join the enterprise afterward. the original lord & taylor would move several times, opening new flagship stores at broadway and grand street within soho in 1859, and then at broadway and 20th street in the "ladies' mile" area in 1870. after a period of economic decline and growth, the company would open stores along fifth avenue in 1903 and 1906, becoming one of the avenue's first retailers.