Bonwit Mausoleum

Paul Bonwit
September 29, 1862 – December 11, 1939

This simple gray granite mausoleum holds the remains of department store titan Paul Bonwit. Bonwit was born in Hanover, Germany. He moved to Paris at age sixteen than emigrated to the United States in 1883 at age 21. He briefly worked in a department store in Lincoln, Nebraska, then moved to New York City to accept a position with Rothchild and Company, eventually becoming a partner. In 1895 he opened up his own store, then two years later teamed up with Edmund Teller to open a store called Bonwit Teller. Bonwit Teller specialized in high-end women’s apparel and prospered throughout much of the twentieth century. Paul Bonwit controlled the company until 1934 when he sold the store and brand to the Atlas Corporation. In 1980 Donald Trump bought the flagship Fifth Avenue store and subsequently tore it down to make way for the Trump Tower.
Text and photo © Douglas Keister Visit Doug’s Author Page

[address cemetery=”Kensico Cemetery” street=”Mount Pleasant” city=”Valhalla” state=”New York” zip=”10595″]