On Oct. 29, 1879, Samuel M. Stephenson, Isaac Stephenson and Joseph Fleshiem platted Iron Mountain on the NW 1/4 of NW 1/4 of Section 31, T40N of R30W. Earliest accounts sometimes refer to the settlement as Section 30, Chapin, Chapin Mine and Iron City.

A post office was established on May 17, 1880, with Renel O. Philbrook serving as the first postmaster. Iron Mountain was incorporated as a village on Oct. 10, 1887, and less than six months later — on April 2, 1888 — was incorporated as a city.

According to an account in the School Record, Iron Mountain High School’s newspaper, for February 1910 (Volume 10, Number 6), Iron Mountain’s business district began as follows:

“Frank Ayers, a bachelor from Maine who had been exploring in these regions with a churn drill, was the first to have a building ready for occupancy. It was located on the southeast corner of Stephenson Ave. and Ludington St. He procured some lumber from Marinette and cut cedars in the swamp nearby for studding. He put in a small stock [of] “lumberjack” furnishings, including mittens, overalls, stockings, shoepacks, tobacco, liquors, etc. Later he started a restaurant, the first in the place, Thomas Hayes being employed as cook. He next added groceries and meats. In the spring or early summer of 1880, he sold a half interest in the business to William Doucette. About two months later Mr. Doucette became sole proprietor and Mr. Ayers hied himself to parts unknown.”

Michael Khoury operated two shops selling “fruits and confections” by 1913, the one pictured here at 305 South Stephenson Ave. and the other at 533 South Stephenson Ave. Sam Khoury, left, and Abe Abraham, right, are pictured. Note the elaborate soda fountain with numerous polished spigots and an array of glassware. Confectionery items were probably displayed in the case upon which Abe’s left arm rested. Two customers are reflected in the mirror above the soda fountain.

Most of the early development of the business district occurred on the east side of South Stephenson Avenue and the adjoining side streets. The area west of South Stephenson Avenue was swampy, and the railroad tracks were located there.

NOTE: Numbering and addresses on the 300 block of South Stephenson Avenue seemed to charge arbitrarily from one year to the next, as is evidenced with the entries which follow. Attempting to pinpoint locations of some businesses at specified dates is challenging.

History of 301-303: Whether the address indicated is 301 or 303, or 301-303 South Stephenson Ave., in the following information the location was the southeast corner of South Stephenson Avenue and East Ludington Street.

In 1892-1894 Hancock & Sundstrom (Robert J. Hancock and William G. Sundstrom) ran a hardware store at 303 South Stephenson Ave., and Victor E. Lundin, working as a merchant tailor here, advertised “Splendid fits and first-class work. Repairing and pressing done neatly.” Hancock & Sundstrom were also listed under Sundstrom’s name in 1892-1894 as running a general merchandise store at 205 East Fleshiem St., where Sundstrom also resided.

William G. Sundstrom was independently running a hardware store at 301-303 South Stephenson Ave.. in 1902-1903. Dr. D.H. Ripley, a dentist, and Dr. S. Edwin Cruse, a medical doctor, both had an office upstairs of 301 South Stephenson Ave. in 1902-1903. William G. Sundstrom still ran a hardware store, listed at 303 South Stephenson Ave. in 1907-1908, and not 301-303 South Stephenson Ave., as in 1902-1903. Victor E. Lundin worked as a “merchant tailor” in 1907-1908, “over Sundstrom’s hardware store,” and J. Auerbach, an optometrist, also had his office upstairs at the “corner of Stephenson Ave. and Ludington.”

Taken in about 1887, this photograph, looking south, shows buildings on the east side of the 300 block of South Stephenson Avenue. The sign on the first building on the left, located at the southeast corner of the intersection with East Ludington Street, reads City Hotel. Today the Fleury, Singler & Company, certified public accountants, occupy this site in the Khoury Building at 301 South Stephenson Ave. A small sign between the City Hotel and the adjoining building advertises a dressmaker. The second store, at 305 South Stephenson Ave., was a general store run by Charles Schuldes and Emil Carriere between 1885 and 1889. Their advertising banner stretches across the street. The tall pine at the right stands near where the intersection with East A Street would be today, and beyond is forest and swamp.

Gust F. Gensch ran a hardware store here in 1913. John O’Hara, a lawyer, had his office at 303 1/2 South Stephenson Ave., probably upstairs of 303 South Stephenson Ave., in 1913, and also resided there with his wife Martha O’Hara.

In an article in the Sept. 28, 1921, edition of the Iron Mountain News the reporter declared “one of the most important business deals in Iron Mountain business circles in some months” would occur on Saturday, Oct. 1, 1921, when Gilbert P. Fugere and Daniel J. Eck took possession of the Gensch Hardware Store at the corner of Stephenson Avenue and East Ludington Street.

In closing the deal, Fugere and Eck also secured possession of the large store and basement for a term of years.

The Iron Mountain News article noted: “It occupies one of the most prominent corners in the city and the building has been occupied as a hardware store for more than thirty years. It was first tenanted as such by Hancock & Sundstrom, later by William Sundstrom and son, who sold the stock to G.F. Gensch.”

The article further stated that Fugere and Eck would do business under the firm name of the Fugere-Eck Hardware Company.

William J. Cummings | This view of the east side of the 300 block of South Stephenson Avenue, looking south, was taken on Aug. 22, 2010. The occupants of the buildings at the time were: 301-303, The Khoury Building, Fleury, Singler & Co.; 305, Timeless Photography; 307, vacant; 309-311, Robin J. Tchokreff; 313, Linnea & Kristine, florists; 315, Sally’s Salon – A Hair Different; 317-321, Perina’s Mata Brown Shoppe; 323, Salon 323; the Ben Franklin Block, Franklin Square.

G.P. Fugere, the senior member of the firm, was one of Iron Mountain’s most successful and progressive young businessmen. He was a native of Iron Mountain and a graduate of the high school. Associated with his brother Frank Fugere, some 15 years prior he had engaged in shoes and gentlemen’s furnishing goods, and the firm was an immediate success. Fugere was one of the directors of the First National Bank and a member of the board of education at the time the Fugere-Eck Hardware Company was formed.

Eck was “an all-around tradesman,” a “good electrician and carpenter” and had some experience in merchandising. Eck was the active manager of the firm.

Rian’s Hardware, Olaf Rian, proprietor, occupied this historic spot in downtown Iron Mountain, listed at 301 South Stephenson Ave. by 1925, and advertising “General Hardware, Guns, Ammunition, Glassware and Tinware.” Mrs. Amelia Erickson worked as a milliner upstairs at 303 South Stephenson Ave. in 1925.

By 1935, the McDonald Hardware Company, managed by Clarence M. Tripp, was located at 301 South Stephenson Ave., as was the MacDonald Hardware Company, managed by L.G. Jenkinson, in 1939.

The Majestic Lunch, operated by Arthur Mitchell, was listed at this address in the 1941-1942 city directory.

According to city and county directories in more recent years the brick Khoury Building, constructed prior to 1959, was occupied by Hayward’s House of Gifts & Cards [Wade M. and Josephine F. Hayward] (1959-1972); Daniels House of Gifts & Cards [Gilbert J. and Doris L. Daniels] (1974-1981); and Fleury, Singler & Company, Certified Public Accountants (1984-present).

The Khoury Building consistently was listed at 303 South Stephenson Ave. until 1984 when 301 South Stephenson Ave. began to be used.

History of 305: The following brief article in the April 18, 1889, edition of The Menominee Range documents N.C. Schuldes’ clothing store was operating at this time, probably at this address, with Carl Schuldes working as manager:

“C. SCHULDES’ store window has blossomed out in all the loveliness of spring millinery. Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed in such elegance as the modest lily, says Holy Writ, but the lady who is arrayed in one of the hats displayed in Schuldes’ window will be clothed in the beauty of the lily of the field, with its eloquence and loveliness made conspicuous by the milliner’s art.”

In 1892-1894 N.C. Schuldes ran a clothing store at this address, advertising “Fine millinery. The latest fashions. The latest styles and finest shoes in the city.” Carl Schuldes worked as manager for the store. At this same time Joseph Bitterly dealt in “Watches, Clocks, Jewelry, Silverware, Musical instruments and Optical goods” at the same location.

John Clifford had a saloon here in 1902-1903, and Frank Forsbusch operated his tailor shop and resided upstairs.

In 1907-1908 William Foley was a “saloon keeper” at this address.

Michael Khoury operated two stores selling “fruits and confections” on Stephenson Avenue in 1913, one at this address, managed by Abe Abraham, and the other at 533 South Stephenson Ave.

In 1925 Michael Khoury still ran a confectionery shop at this address, and also resided here with his wife Mary Khoury. Albert Khoury, a clerk, Anna Khoury, a saleslady, and Samuel Khoury, a clerk, all worked in Michael Khoury’s shop and lived at this address in 1925, as did Rose Khoury, who was listed as a saleslady for Albert Khoury, but resided at this address. Simon J. Shada, a wholesale confectioner at 514 Carpenter Ave., also lived at 305 South Stephenson Ave. with his wife Estelle Shada in 1925.

By 1935 Samuel Khoury operated a confectionery shop at this address. William J. Edwards was a music dealer here in 1935, and Ruby Edwards worked in the store as a clerk. William J. Edwards, his wife Ada Edwards and Ruby Edwards all lived in Vulcan.

In July 1939, Abraham “Abe” Khoury, veteran Iron Mountain confectioner and real estate dealer, returned to Syria to visit his native land. He married a Syrian woman and began making arrangements to return with his bride to the United States. Delays encountered in obtaining permission for Mrs. Khoury to enter the United States prevented the couple from booking passage until June, 1940. However, that same month Italy declared war on France and the Mediterranean Sea became unsafe for passenger travel, forcing the couple to abandon plans to travel to the United States at that time. Abe Khoury died in a small city near Tripoli, Syria, in March, 1941.

Abe’s son, Samuel A. Khoury succeeded Abe in the confectionery business.

By 1939 Khoury’s Beer Garden was operated by Samuel A. and Evelyn Khoury at 305 South Stephenson Ave. and was again listed in 1941-1942.

By 1946 Khoury’s Restaurant was operated here by Samuel and Evelyn Khoury.

According to city and county directories in more recent years the businesses occupying 305 South Stephenson Ave. included: Robert’s Bar [Richard and Bessie Roberts] (1959); the Flying Finn’s Tavern [Ernest Ozororicz] (1961); Jumbo’s Cocktail Lounge [Albert and Jennie Flaminio] (1963-1964); vacant (1966); Dick’s Bar [Richard and Bessie Roberts] (1967); Cudlip’s Drug Store [Harry R. Bottger] (1969-1974); Pickwicker Imports [Michael and Mrs. Paula Hall] (1976-1978); vacant (1979); Bruttomesso’s Pizzaria [Angelo P. and Rosa I. Bruttomesso] (1980-2000). By 2010 Timeless Photography [Phyllis Marion] was located here.

History of 307: The small, single-story building south of the building at 305 South Stephenson Ave. was sometimes listed as 307 and in later years 305 1/2 South Stephenson Ave. in the city and county directories.

By 1892-1894 Michael Carey operated a cigar store and factory at 307 South Stephenson Ave. Joseph B. Eslick ran his barbershop at that address by 1902-1903, and was still there in 1907-1908 and in 1913. He sold his shop in 1924 due to illness and died July 6, 1925.

Riley’s Stores, William Riley, proprietor, had a news stand and smoke shop at 307 1/2 South Stephenson Ave. and at 1245 Carpenter Ave. in 1925, as well as a dry cleaning and pressing shop at 111 East D St.

By 1935 the Knights of Columbus Hall was located here.

Although listed at 305 1/2 South Stephenson Ave. in the 1939 city directory, the Bon Ton Sweet Shoppe, operated by Wilbert Safranek, was certainly located at this address. Marian Safranek also worked here at that time. The Bon-Ton Sweet Shop, under the same ownership, was again listed in the 1941-1942 and the 1946 city directories and remained listed at that address through 1961.

The building was vacant from 1963 to 1967, but was occupied by Cameraland from 1969 through 1984. Jensen’s Church Supplies, operated by Larry and Donna Jensen, did business here from 1985 to 1989.

History of 309: Jonah Orrison, an agent for the Atlantic Dynamite Company, had his office at this address in 1892-1894, and was also the city treasurer.

Sophus H. Mortensen, identified as the city’s “leading” photographer, also worked and resided at this location in 1892-1894, advertising “The finest scenic effects, All work done pertaining to the art.” In 1902-1903 Sophus Mortensen still maintained his photographic studio here, advertising “all the latest positions, mounts, etc.”

T.B. Catlin was manager in the office of the Michigan Telephone Company (probably the Michigan State Telephone Company) in Room 2 (probably upstairs) at this address in 1902-1903. The Michigan State Telephone Company maintained an office here in 1907-1908 under the direction of A.A. Shephard, district manager. There was no listing for this address in 1913, 1925, 1935, 1939 or 1941-1942.

Read the rest of this 13-page story on the Dickinson County Library’s website (www.dcl-lib.org) which includes additional photographs: East Side of the 300 Block, 1907; East Side of the 300 Block, 1910; G.F. Gensch Hardware Store, 1910-1915; and Cudlip’s Drug Store Interior, circa 1969. Nine period advertisements are also reproduced.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

• Daily Newsletter
• Breaking News
• Obituaries

Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

• Yes
• No