Part II

(Note: The location of businesses at 315, 317 and 319 S. Stephenson Ave. is particularly confusing, and it would appear street numbers changed over the years.)

History of 317: Mathius Swanson, a jeweler at 317 S. Stephenson Ave. in 1892-1894, was a “Dealer in watches, clocks, jewelry and silverware, scientific watch repairing.” He guaranteed “All work first-class in every particular and prices reasonable.”

An article under the headline “New Clothing Store” in the July 20, 1899, edition of the Iron Mountain Press noted:

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: 305, Timeless Photography; 307, vacant; 311, Robin J. Tchokreff (Angie’s Beauty Supply & Boutique); 313, Linnea & Kristine, florists; 315, Sally’s Salon – A Hair Different; 321, Perina’s Mata Brown Shoppe; 323, Salon 323; 333, the Ben Franklin Block, Franklin Square.

“S. Mortensen, who has been connected with the Hub Clothing Store and other mercantile establishments here during the past four or five years, has leased the new Freeman brownstone building and will engage in business for himself as soon as the store is ready for occupancy. He will handle clothing, gents’ furnishing goods, hats, caps, boots and shoes, and will handle a superior grade of goods. Mr. Mortensen is a popular young man and will no doubt do a fine business.”

M. Mortensen sold “clothing, gents’ furnishings, boots, shoes, etc.” at this address in 1902-1903, as well as working as a photographer at 100 E. Ludington St.

C.F. Wallberg’s tailor shop was on the second floor at 317 S. Stephenson Ave. in 1902-1903.

Carl Rylander, a watchmaker, no longer in partnership with Gust Rahm, worked here at 317 S. Stephenson Ave. in 1907-1908.

Charles W. Johnson, found at 319 S. Stephenson Ave. in the street index in 1907-1908, was listed at 317 S. Stephenson Ave. in the alphabetical listing, selling liquors and cigars at the latter location.

The Boston Store, a clothing establishment, was operated at 317-319 S. Stephenson Ave. by John I. Khoury in 1913. James Prenevost was listed as running a “pool & billiards” hall in 1913 at 317 1/2 S. Stephenson Ave., probably upstairs. Leo Legendre, a lineman, lived at 319 1/2 S. Stephenson Ave., probably upstairs, with his wife Edna Legendre in 1913.

An article in Aug. 5, 1915, edition of the Iron Mountain Press noted that “the F.W. Woolworth Company, of New York City, who operate a long chain of five and ten cent stores throughout the country,” had leased the store building then occupied by John I. Khoury and would take possession about the first of October. The building was owned by Edwin Freeman.

In the Aug. 12, 1915, edition of the Iron Mountain Press, residents learned that John I. Khoury, owner of The Boston Store, was selling “high-grade footwear, clothing and furnishing goods at practically cost prices” at a sale which opened the next Saturday and continued until Sept. 1.

According to the article Khoury had “been forced to sacrifice his large and splendid stock due to the fact that, during his absence in the west, the building he now occupies was arbitrarily leased for a term of ten years to another concern and he was served with a peremptory notice to vacate within the month.”

Khoury, unable to secure another place of business within the time limit, decided to “inaugurate a forced sale at which the cost mark will be obliterated.”

The May 4, 1916, edition of the Iron Mountain Press announced:

“The work of remodeling the Freeman building for the F.W. Woolworth Company was started this morning. Hans Nelson, of Green Bay, has the contract. The building will be extended thirty feet in the rear, making it, when completed, 30×110 feet, with a full basement. A curved glass front composed of eight lights of curve plate glass will be installed. Emil Bergquist has the contract for the cement floor in the basement, John Obermeyer will install a steam heating plant and plumbing, and W.J. Brown the electric light wiring. The interior of the building is to be redecorated. Mr. Nelson expects to have the work completed by the 15th of next month.”

On Friday, June 16, 1916, T.G. Young, general superintendent of the Woolworth stores, and E.A. Wangler, the local manager, were in charge of the formal opening of the local store, one of over 800 Woolworth stores throughout the country.

In an article in the June 15, 1916, edition of the Iron Mountain Press, Young stated that the Iron Mountain store was “the equal of any in the chain in point of furnishings and stock, the company having expended over $8,000 in rebuilding and enlarging the Freeman block.” He added that no city had “a more up-to-date store, the front being a very handsome one” which was “built almost entirely of plate glass, the windows being of an oval design.”

The opening was like a reception. No goods were sold and visitors received presents. The article also noted:

“A feature of the store is the candy department on the left of the main entrance. It has the approval of the state and federal sanitary authorities. On Saturday the formal opening will take place with thirty clerks in attendance.”

F.W. Woolworth Company was located at 315-317 S. Stephenson Ave. in 1925 and F.W. Woolworth Company, listed here in the alphabetical listing as well as in the street index sold “notions” at 319 S. Stephenson Ave. under the management of Arthur M. Larson.

In 1935 Arthur W. Larson was manager at the F.W. Woolworth Company store located at 315-317 South Stephenson Ave. Edward Freeman, an autoworker, lived at 317 1/2 S. Stephenson Ave. (upstairs) with his wife, Sorrie Freeman, in 1935.

The F.W. Woolworth Company was listed at 319 S. Stephenson Ave. in 1939 and 1941-1942, and in all probability encompassed 317-319 S. Stephenson Ave. Arthur M. Larson still served as manager during those years.

By 1946 the J.J. Newberry Company, Julian S. Guillion, manager, operated here. The address was listed as vacant in 1959.

History of 319: R. Frezinsky ran a clothing store at this address in 1892-1894. Mrs. D. Jarvis, proprietor, operated the Wabash Hotel upstairs at this location in 1902-1903.

Charles W. Johnson, found at 319 S. Stephenson Ave. in the street index in 1907-1908, was at 317 S. Stephenson Ave. in the alphabetical listing, selling liquors and cigars at the latter location.

John I. Khoury sold clothing here in 1907-1908. The Boston Store, a clothing establishment, was operated at 317-319 S. Stephenson Ave. by John I. Khoury in 1913. James Prenevost was listed as running a “pool & billiards” hall in 1913 at 317 1/2 S. Stephenson Ave, probably upstairs. Leo Legendre, a lineman, lived at 319 1/2 S. Stephenson Avenue, probably upstairs, with his wife Edna Legendre in 1913.

(See the history of 317 S. Stephenson Ave. for the history of 319 S. Stephenson Ave. for information beginning in 1915.)

Read the rest of this 13-page story on the Dickinson County Library’s website (www.dcl-lib.org) which includes additional information, seven additional photographs and five early newspaper advertisements.