Long closed Famous-Barr Department Store in Cairo, Illinois. The Famous-Barr Company, originally called the Famous & Barr Co., was created in 1911 through the merger of The William Barr Dry Goods Co. and previously May-owned The Famous Clothing Store. It was the first air conditioned department store in the United States. Later, it became a division of Macy's, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. The Famous-Barr name was retired in 2006. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.