1872 – July 13th – Nelle Shields Jackson is born in Pennsylvania.
1907 – Summer – Nelle’s dream of opening her very own shop is born.
1907 – Fall – Young Nelle Jackson moved west to Tulsa, Oklahoma to take advantage of the Glenpool oil strike and begin building her dream.
1907 – 1909 – Nelle worked as a corsetiere for the Vandever brothers
1910 – The first Miss Jackson’s Shop was open for business, a lingerie shop on the balcony of a jewelry store in downtown Tulsa. After a few months, business was booming and the shop was moved into a larger building on South Main where she shared space with another of Tulsa’s new shops also destined for longevity, Mrs. DeHaven’s Flower Shop.
1916 – Tulsa was becoming the “Oil Capital of the World”, downtown streets were being paved and Miss Nelle Jackson decided to move her shop to the new Sinclair Building at Fifth and Main. Here she introduced a wonderful new concept to Tulsa shoppers, Gift Wrapping. This was the first step of implementing Nell’s strong 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 - World history was being made: The sinking of the Lusitania, the first woman was elected to congress in the state of Montana, General Pershing led a raid into Mexico in search of Pancho Villa and Charlie Chaplin was the up and coming young actor of the day. Meanwhile, Miss Nelle was making her dream a reality and helping dreams be realized for her many patrons.
1920’s – The Roaring ‘20s were in full swing and high fashion was very important to world-travelers from Tulsa. Elegant gowns were designed, stylish hats were created and the most important bride’s gowns were designed and fitted at Miss Jackson’s. Practicality was important as well. The first uniforms designed for Holland Hall, the newest private school in Tulsa, were designed by Miss Nelle Jackson.
1927 – Tulsa Oilman, Waite Phillips, a friend and patron of Miss Jackson, decided to build a “skyscraper” in downtown Tulsa. The Philtower Building would be the highest structure in Tulsa and would house only the finest businesses and shops. Miss Jackson’s Shop was the first tenant he sought and the first one signed up!
1928, April 2nd – Grand opening of Miss Jackson’s new shop in the Philtower Building. Only the finest chinaand silver was used and champagne was sipped from the finest crystal. Models from New York City displayed the latest fashions from the world’s most famous designers. It was a grand event!
1930’s – The Great Depression struck the nation and Tulsa. Miss Nelle Jackson struggled to keep Miss Jackson’s Shop open during these trying times and was successful with the support of her many friends and patrons and her strong determination to keep her dream alive.
1940 – 1950’s – Miss Jackson’s Shop flourished and Nelle retired from daily management of the shop due to failing health in the mid-Fifties.
1964 – Miss Jackson’s Shop was purchased by the Vandever Company and a move was planned to the newest exclusive shopping area in mid-town Tulsa, Utica Square.
1965, August 29th – A champagne gala celebration was held to mark the grand opening of Miss Jackson’s Shop in Utica Square.
1966, June 30th – Miss Nelle Shields Jackson passed away at the age of ninety-three.
1967, October 27th – William F. Fisher, Sr. purchased Miss Jackson’s Shop from Vandevers with Mr. William F. Fisher, Jr. as president and the dream was passed on.
2001, September 27th – At the retirement of Mr. William F. Fisher, Jr., Miss Jackson’s Shop was sold to the Utica Square Shopping Center, Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
2010 – Miss Jackson’s celebrates 100 years and continues to flourish and is known for the finest in fashion, jewelry, cosmetics and gifts. Nelle Shields Jackson came to Tulsa with a dream and a determination to make a difference. What began in 1910 as a tiny shop on the balcony of a jewelry store has grown into a valuable, highly respected and world renowned business. Miss Jackson’s continues to make a difference and to impart to patrons Nelle’s love of beauty and culture on which no monetary value can be placed.
The dream lives on…