Bitting Brothers Store in Wichita, Kansas, sold clothes, hats, furnishings, and more. Image by L.H. Everts & Co. 1887.

Charles W. and A.W. Bitting came to Wichita in 1877 from Pennsylvania. They owned a clothing store from 1878-1898. In 1888, they expanded again by tearing down their original building and acquiring the lot next door. This building had the first elevator in the state and featured electric lighting. They sold their clothing business in 1898 but continued in the jewelry and insurance businesses, maintaining offices in the new building. On New Year's Day 1911, a fire erupted and threatened to engulf the entire business district. The fire led to the building being torn down and rebuilt yet again—a four-story building was built in its place, and later, seven more floors were added. The latest Bitting building still stands at its original location at the northwest corner of Douglas and Market Streets. It now houses apartments called The Douglas.