Originally Built 1902 by Robert Taupert an optician and jeweler.
In the early 1900’s, Las Vegas was larger and more prosperous than Santa Fe, with hopes of becoming the state capital. Mr.Taupert thought a fine jewelry store here could compete with one on the Plaza in Santa Fe. Advertisements claimed “ONE PRICE TO ALL AND THAT IN PLAIN FIGURES. ONE QUALITY THAT THE BEST FOR THE PRICE.”

Building was constructed by the same builders M.M. Sundt who built the Crockett Building (Murphey’s Drugs) using bricks probably shipped down from Trinidad. (Yellow bricks made locally at the brickyard south of town were too soft.) Five and Dime next door.

Fixtures are all the original cases and lights. Mezzanine level was used for the optical work. The cast iron clock on the sidewalk has been a fixture on Douglas from the beginning.

Robert Taupert continued in business until his death from pneumonia in 1921. At one time he was mayor of Las Vegas. Ida Mae Taupert was born in 1886 and died in 1976, making her 90 years old. After a brother-in-law went bankrupt in the 30’s, the store was sold.

Gordon’s Jewelers- Mr. Gordon, also an optician, bought the business and continued. Apparently he had drinking and gambling problems. When he ran out of cash at the card table, he came back to the jewelry store to take watches or gems as collateral. Eventually his wife took away the keys and put bars on the windows, so he broke in to his own store. Many empty liquor bottles were found, tucked into nooks and crannies in the basements when the new owners took over.

Present Owners- Calvin Baker Jr. and Calvin Baker III. Mr. Baker Jr., has been in business here for 61 years (since 1947), his father arriving in Las Vegas in 1940. In the 90’s the front of the store was remodeled and the furnace converted from coal. About 20 years ago, some kids tunneled into the back of the store and stole some merchandise which was not recovered and the thieves were not caught.