Arthur Letts

Arthur Letts
Arthur Letts, Sr., about 1905
Born	(1861-04-28)April 28, 1861 England
Died	May 18, 1923 Los Angeles, California
Spouse(s)	Florence Philp
Children	Florence Edna, Gladys (Janss) and Arthur Letts, Jr.

Arthur Letts, Sr. (June 17, 1862 – May 18, 1923) was an immigrant from England who made his name, fortune, and mark in Los Angeles, California in the early years of the 20th century. Arthur Letts built his wealth by transforming a small, bankrupt dry goods store in Downtown Los Angeles into the prominent The Broadway department store, later adding the Bullock's store.

Arthur Letts, Sr. was born in England. In 1882 he emigrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and found employment in a large dry goods store. When the Red River Rebellion broke out in the Northwest of Canada, he volunteered. He was awarded a silver medal and clasp for distinguished service, and a grant of land by the Canadian government. In the early 1890s he emigrated to the United States in Seattle, Washington and began retail employment in dry goods.

Letts arrived in the Los Angeles, California area in 1896. At the corner of Fourth and Broadway, then on the far southern edge of the downtown Los Angeles business district, the J. A. Williams & Co. Dry Goods Store had gone bankrupt. With the help of an influential friend, who was impressed with Letts’ knowledge of that type of business, a loan of $5000 was secured from the Los Angeles National Bank, and opened his business on February 24, 1896. He named the department store The Broadway,

Arthur Letts was the 'behind the scenes' financial founder and owner of Bullock's department store, and put John Bullock from his The Broadway to direct this store. After Letts' death, Bullock and a group of investors purchased the store from the estate.