Documentation of the history of businesses in downtown Iron Mountain begins with this installment. Although many buildings have disappeared over the decades, a surprising number of early structures still survive, sometimes under a remodeled facade. Most dates are given based on city directories, the earliest being 1892-1894, 1902-1903, 1905-1906, 1907-1908, 1913, 1925, 1935, 1939, 1941-1942 and 1946. Then there is a large gap until the Polk’s Iron Mountain and Kingsford City Directory which included other areas of Dickinson County began regular publication in 1959. Building history has been traced to 1990.

The series begins with the downtown commercial district located on South Stephenson Avenue and then will continue with downtown side streets and later businesses on Merritt and Carpenter avenues.

Part 2 of the 41st installment follows. (Part 1 was published Feb. 19.)

History of 109: In 1892-1894 L.A. Rouse operated a barbershop at this location. There was no listing for this address in 1902-1903. John Blixt ran a barbershop here in 1907-1908. In 1913 Casper Wilt, a painter, resided at this address. There was no listing in 1925.

PHOTOGRAPHED during a state of Michigan Survey in 1975, the south half of the double building located on the 100 block of South Stephenson Avenue shows 115 S. Stephenson Ave. and other addresses before remodeling was done for the Brave Bull, Geline’s Rib Cage and Fontana’s Supper Club. (State of Michigan)

The City Flower Shop occupied 109-113 South Stephenson Ave. in 1935, run by Ida M. Quilici, advertising “Plants, Ferns, Cut Flowers, Corsages, Wedding Bouquets and Funeral Designs a Specialty.” In 1939 and again in 1941 the City Flower Shop, operated by Mrs. James (Ida) Goulette, was still located here.

Cyrilla Grocery, operated by Americo Pelliccioni, was also listed at this address in 1941 and again in 1946.

By 1959 P A’s Barber Shop, owned by Peter A. Alexander, operated here through 1969. In 1967, however, the address was listed as “vacant” or unlisted to 1990.

History of 111: Listed as “vacant” in the Polk city directories or unlisted from 1959 to 1990.

History of 113: John Virsella ran a saloon at this address and also lived here in 1892-1894, as did Natale Rutolanti in 1902-1903. There was no listing for this address in 1907-1908.

Theodore H. Firme, a plumber, conducted his shop here in 1913.

On Saturday evening, Aug. 30, 1924, the Blue Bird Café was formally opened at this address, having actually been open for business on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The proprietor, E. Elli, stated in the Aug. 27, 1924, edition of the Iron Mountain News that the cafe would accommodate 400 persons and had “in connection a dance floor” that would be open every evening.

The building’s interior had been entirely remodeled over a period of some months, and represented “an investment of from $28,000 to $30,000.” In addition to 24 booths there were a number of tables on both the main floor and the balcony which encircled the interior. The dance floor accommodated “from 30 to 40 couples with comfort.” A 10-piece orchestra played for the formal opening on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and a five-piece orchestra was to be engaged for every evening from that time on.

George Wilde, an “expert chef who was a member of Sherry’s staff for 10 years in New York,” was the manager of the new establishment and was to be in charge of the cuisine. According to Wilde, “strict decorum” was to “be maintained at all times and nothing but clean entertainment and dancing” would be allowed.

Apparently the new restaurant had some difficulties with staff and management changes. An article in the May 8, 1925, edition of the Iron Mountain News recorded a lawsuit filed by Thomas F. O’Connell, former chef at the Bluebird Restaurant, for $300 which he “alleged was due him for labor performed.” The trial occurred on the afternoon of May 7, and “a jury of six men” allowed O’Connell $125 for back wages. O’Connell, the plaintiff, was represented by Ray Dundon, and Edward Murphy, the defendant, was represented by Ray E. MacAllister.

In the 1925 directory Edward Murphy, of Escanaba, was the owner of a restaurant at 119 South Stephenson Ave. which was listed as “vacant.”

James A. Mitchell ran The City Cash Market here in 1925, featuring “fancy and staple groceries and meats.” By 1935 the City Flower Shop occupied 109-113 South Stephenson Ave., run by Ida M. Quilici, and advertising “Plants, Ferns, Cut Flowers, Corsages, Wedding Bouquets and Funeral Designs a Specialty.”

In 1939 and again in 1941 the City Flower Shop, operated by Mrs. James (Ida) Goulette, was still located here.

History of 115: Wallner & Banardi (Joseph Wallner and Frank Banardi) operated a saloon here in 1892-1894. Frank Banardi also lived at this address, as did Peter Battosti, a miner, at that time. Traveggio & Saratoni (Emanuel Traveggio and Louis Saratoni) operated a saloon at this location in 1902-1903, and also lived here. Robert Quilici, listed at this address in 1907-1908, sold liquor, cigars and ran a pool room, as well as residing here with his wife Magdalena Quilici and Feore Orellio. In 1913 Robert Quilici was still at this location, operating a saloon and residing here with his wife “Batiste” Quilici.

By 1925, during the Prohibition era, Camilla Tiglint sold soft drinks here. Robert Quilici and his wife Lena Quilici resided upstairs, as well as Adam Quilici, Ida M. Quilici, a bookkeeper, and Viola F. Quilici.

The May 1, 1925, edition of the Iron Mountain News announced that the Coney Island Red Hot stand had opened for business at 115 South Stephenson Ave. The interior of the restaurant had been remodeled and new fixtures installed. In addition to a lunch counter, booths and tables were provided. The establishment specialized in red hots and chile con carne. Sam Saltis, of Oshkosh, Wis., and A. Pappas, of Marinette, Wis., were the proprietors. Neither of these men were listed in the 1925 directory.

The Crystal Lunch was located here by 1935 and was still here in 1939, and 1946, operated by Viola Quilici. Robert Quilici still resided here in 1935, as did Viola Quilici.

By 1941 the business was known as the Crystal Inn, but was still operated by Viola Quilici. James Goulette, a member of the Michigan Legislature, lived here with his wife Ida (Quilici) Goulette in 1941.

In the 1959 Polk’s city directory the Crystal Bar was operated by Viola Klett [sic].

By 1961 the Buddy Bar, Herbert C. and Violet Hughes, proprietors, was listed at this address, operating until 1971. In 1972 the proprietor was listed as Joseph L. LeBlanc. In 1973 the address was listed as “vacant” but in 1974 the Buddy Bar was again operated by Herbert Hughes.

By 1976 Wayne Goulette operated the Brave Bull, a tavern, here and by 1978 the owners were Wayne Goulette and Wade and Janice L. Geline.

In 1979 the Geline’s Rib Cage, owned by Wade Geline, was the establishment’s name. Al Bolan also operated The Athletic Club & Lounge at this address in 1979.

By 1981 the address was listed as “vacant” and remained so until 1985 when Fontana’s Supper Club opened, operated by Thomas Fontana and occupying the entire block from 101-117 South Stephenson Avenue.

History of 117: In 1892-1894 C.A. Petterson dealt in “hardware, stoves, tinware, watches, clocks, jewelry, sewing machines, pianos and organs” at this address, and Edward Peterson also ran a saloon here at this time. J.A. Clancy, an architect, had his office at this address in 1892-1894, advertising “Designing and superintending the construction of public buildings a specialty.”

J.A. Sundstrom ran a hardware store on this site in 1902-1903, and Pietro D’Inocenzi and Andrio D’Inocenzi, both miners, boarded upstairs. In 1907-1908 Otto Anderson was named at this address in the street listing, but not in the alphabetical listing.

By 1913 the Iron Mountain Light & Fuel Company, Thorton B. Anderson, superintendent, had its office here. Noel H. Turner, of the International Construction Company, and his wife Margaret Turner, lived upstairs at 117 1/2 South Stephenson Ave. in 1913.

Louis A. Fox had a clothing store here by 1925, and also lived at this address with his wife Minnie Fox. Frank F. Goodenbour, a helper, and his wife Sarah L. Goodenbour, also resided here in 1925. Louis A. Fox was still operating the clothing store at this location in 1935, residing here with his wife Mary Fox. Louis Fox, now the proprietor of the Fox Fish Company, lived here with his wife Minnie Fox in 1939.

By 1941 the Beckstrom & Greenquist Decorating Company, operated by Harold C. Beckstrom and David E. Greenquist, was located here and was still at this location in 1946, although by then Mary Beckstrom was listed as a widow. The Beckstrom & Greenquist Decorating Company, owned by David F. Greenquist, was listed in the Polk’s city directories from 1959 until 1969.

In 1970 the House of Fashion opened here with Mrs. Dorothy J. Oien serving as manager. In 1972 Mrs. Oien’s business was listed as the House of Fashion Beauty Salon. Hayward Interiors was also in business at this site in 1972, owned by Mrs. Jo Hayward and Mrs. Carol Muraro.

In 1976 Hope House, a youth center, operated here but by 1977 apartments were listed, continuing until 1990.

Read the rest of this nine-page story on the Dickinson County Library’s website (www.dcl-lib.org) which includes additional information and photographs.