In 1877, "The May Department Stores Company" was founded in Leadville during the Colorado silver rush. In 1889, the headquarters moved to Denver. In 1899, May acquires the E. R. Hull & Dutton Co. of Cleveland, renaming it The May Company, Cleveland, later named the May Company Ohio. In 1905, the headquarters moved to St. Louis. In 1910, the business was officially incorporated as The May Department Stores Company. In 1911: The Famous Clothing Store (owned by May) and The William Barr Dry Goods Company merged to create Famous-Barr. In 1912, May acquires the M. O'Neil Co. (O'Neil's) department store of Akron, Ohio. In 1923, May acquires A. Hamburger & Sons Co. in Los Angeles and renames it May Company California. In 1946, May acquires the Kaufmann's chain based in Pittsburgh, retaining it as a separate division. In 1947, May acquires Strouss-Hirshberg Co. based in Youngstown, Ohio, retaining it as a separate division and changing the name to Strouss.