Early History of 501: Larson & Company (John Larson) ran a saloon here in 1892-1894. In 1902-1903 Peter Langis was recorded on the street index at this address, but his name did not appear in the alphabetical listing. However, his name was listed in the Classified Business Directory for 1902-1903 as running a saloon. In 1907-1908 Peter Langis was listed as the owner of a hotel and saloon on this site. Dominic Serena operated the Iron Mountain House, a hotel, at this location in 1913, also residing here with his wife Mary Serena.

By 1925 Apostle Protegere ran a confectionery store, probably called the Arcade Confectionery Store, at this location, living here with his wife Frances Protegere.

Angelo B. Bracco formally opened the Central Drug Store in the building formerly occupied by the Arcade Confectionery Store at the southeast corner of Stephenson Avenue and East A Street on Saturday, May 30, 1925.

The store was one of the most modern in the city, according to the article in the Iron Mountain News on May 29, 1925. Fixtures, valued at approximately $6,000, were entirely of walnut. The north side of the store was lined with modern type show cases that gave full display to all merchandise. On the south side there was a row of eight ice cream booths and a marble fountain and walnut tobacco case.

William J. Cummings photo THE CENTRAL DRUG Store at the southeast corner of South Stephenson Avenue and East A Street was covered with ice from water leaking from a fire hose used in fighting a fire on Friday, Nov. 29, 1929. Note the fire hose running across the road and beyond. The photograph was taken by Albert Quade, who had a photograph studio at 210-212 E. A St., and later in the Felch Hotel at 219 E. A St. In 1925 Apostle Protegere ran a confectionery store, probably called the Arcade Confectionery Store, at this location. Angelo B. Bracco formally opened the Central Drug Store here on May 30, 1925.

The front of the building had been remodeled. The “show windows” — large plate glass windows — were thought to be extremely attractive. An excellent lighting arrangement had also been installed.

A complete line of drugs and allied articles was carried at the store. Prescriptions were also compounded in a department located in a separate room at the rear. Bracco, an experienced pharmacist, was formerly employed at the Cudlip Drug Store.

The Central Drug Store, L. Jess Suino, proprietor, occupied this site in 1935, 1939, 1941-1942 and 1946. The building was listed at 501 S. Stephenson Ave. Arthur LaFave operated a barber and beauty shop at this address in the basement accessible from the south side of East A Street by an exterior stairway. By 1939 and still in 1946 Arthur LaFave’s shop was called the Veribest Barber & Beauty Shoppe.

In 1939 Dr. Ivar C. Johnson, a dentist, Dr. John C. O’Donnell, a dentist, and Dr. Frank O. Logic, a chiropractor, maintained offices upstairs, and Dr. Johnson and Dr. Logic were both listed at the same location in the 1941-1942 city directory. Dr. O’Donnell still had his office here in 1946, as did Edward A. Dundon, an attorney, and the Household Finance Corporation with Harold F. Doege, manager.

Early History of 503: There was no listing for this address in 1892-1894. In 1902-1903 W.H. Moyle, a farmer, resided at this location. (In 1892-1894 William Moyle, Sr., ran a restaurant at 507 S. Stephenson Ave.) Scandling & Soady was also listed at this address on the street index for 1902-1903, but did not appear in the alphabetical listing. In 1902-1903, W.H. Scandling sold “groceries, meats, etc.” at 517-519 S. Stephenson Ave., and Harry Soady, a bookkeeper at the Chapin Mine, resided at 114 W. C St. There was no listing for this address in 1907-1908 or 1913.

Early History of 505: S. Kaichen & Company operated a saloon managed by Ben Kaichen at this location in 1892-1894. There was no listing for this address in 1902-1903. However, in 1907-1908 John Franklin sold “wall paper, paints, oils and painters’ supplies, etc.” at this location. Mrs. G. St. Onge was named in the street index at this address in 1907-1908 but was not found in the alphabetical listing. Harriet Tregilgas ran a confectionery store at this address in 1913, residing here with her husband, William Tregilgas, and Elizabeth M. Tregilgas, a clerk. In 1907-1908 William Tregilgas ran a confectionery store at 507 S. Stephenson Ave.

Early History of 507: William Moyle, Sr., ran a restaurant at this address in 1892-1894, also residing here along with William Moyle, Jr., who was a clerk at A. Cruse & Company (A. Cruse and Robert C. Faucett), a “Meat Market” at 102 Fourth St. on the North Side, working as “Dealers in fresh, dried, salted and smoked meats. Game and fish in season.” There was no listing for this address in 1902-1903. In 1907-1908 William Tregilgas ran a confectionery store here. Dr. George H. Boyce, Sr., a physician, had his offices at this location in 1913.

Early History of 509: In 1892-1894 the Kirby House, a hotel and saloon located at this address, was operated by Louis White, who also resided here. J.P. Thomas operated a hotel and saloon at this address in 1902-1903. The New Empire Restaurant occupied this site in 1907-1908. Seth A. Larson was the proprietor of the Empire Hotel & Restaurant in 1913 at this address, residing here with his wife Lena Larson.

History of 505, 507 and 509: A fire which began at 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 1923, resulted in the loss of three buildings, all owned by John Flanagan, at 505, 507 and 509 S. Stephenson Ave. ($47,000 loss). The businesses located in those buildings were Protegere Brothers’ Candyland (501–505 – $5,000 loss); Riley’s News Depot, owned by William Riley (507 — $2,000 loss); and the De Lima Restaurant, owned by Tony Fliris (509 — $20,000 loss).

The second floor of the De Lima Restaurant, a hotel, was destroyed. Efforts to save the furniture, clothing and other articles failed due to heavy smoke.

The merchandise in the Riley store was totally destroyed. Protogere Brothers, who also rented the upstairs of their building, suffered furniture and clothing losses as well as merchandise and fixtures on the ground floor. The new fixtures recently installed at a price of $15,000 were only damaged by water. The fixtures in the restaurant were believed to be ruined in the same manner.

Early History of 511: There was no listing for this address in 1892-1894 or 1902-1903. However, in 1907-1908 the name John Semons appeared in the street index. The only name similar on the alphabetical listing was John Semmens, a miner, who boarded at 209 W. Fleshiem St. In 1913 Walter A. Arens operated a barber shop at this address. Venar H. Vrynolf ran a barber shop at this location in 1925.

History of 505 (Continued): In 1925 Oshins Ready-to-Wear Ladies’ Furnishings operated at this location under the management of Nellie Barkhurst, selling “Ladies’ Ready-to-Wear and Fancy Goods.” Ellen Blixt sold “women’s furnishings” at this address in 1935, and Mary Harvey also operated a beauty shop here at that time. By 1939, The Rose Shop, operated by Sander Rosenblum, was located here, but the site was listed as “vacant” in the 1941-1942 city directory.

In 1946 Confeld’s Ladies’ Apparel Shop (David Confeld, proprietor) was in business here.

By 1961 the site was vacant, but by 1963 and until 1966 The Brass Knocker (Arthur A. Muth, proprietor) sold gifts at this location. In 1966 Mrs. Caroline Tomasi, an employee, purchased The Brass Knocker from Arthur A. Muth, selling gifts and yarn.

There was no listing at this address by 1969. In 1970 Jeanette Krokstrom managed the Golden Dolphin Bath Shop here, but the store was listed as vacant from 1971 through 1974. By 1976 this address was no longer listed in the city directories, and probably had been incorporated into the Koffman’s Store For Men.

History of 507 (Continued): In 1925 Riley’s Smoke Shop sold tobacco products at 507 S. Stephenson Ave. This shop was a part of Riley’s Stores, William Riley, proprietor, and included a newsstand at 307 S. Stephenson Ave, another newsstand at 1245 S. Carpenter Ave., the Smoke Shop located at this address, and dry cleaning and pressing at 110 E. D St.

The M & M News (Mahlberg-Masty News Company – Rudolph T. Mahlberg and Joseph J. Masty) was in operation at this location by 1935, selling newspapers and magazines, candy and gum, tobacco products and much more in a very small space. The business was listed in all city directories through 1946 under the same ownership and continued to be listed as the M & M News Company between 1961 and 1972 with Joseph I. Masty, proprietor. In 1973 and 1974 Milton Rottman and Bernard Brickel were listed as owners. Beginning in 1975 the address was no longer listed in the city directories, probably indicating that the site had been incorporated into Koffman’s Store For Men.

History of 509 (Continued): In 1925 Anton Fliris ran the De Lima Cafe at this location. There was no listing for this address in 1935. By 1939 Stern’s Shoes, operated by Louis Stern, and the Woman’s Fashion Shop, operated by Mrs. Clara Michaels, were located at this address. In the 1941-1942 city directory the Woman’s Fashion Shop under the same ownership and the Peterson Shoe Company, operated by C. Gust Peterson, were located here. In 1946 Clara Michaels still ran the Woman’s Fashion Shop.

Between 1961 and 1964, Frank W. and Mary S. Peterson were the owners of the Woman’s Fashion Shop. Inez E. Olson also operated the Tot’s Shop, a children’s clothing store, at this address by 1961 until 1973. Between 1969 and 1971 Gilbert J. and Doris L. Daniels operated Daniels’ Gift Shop here. Doris L. Daniels was working at Hayward’s House of Gifts & Cards, located at 303 S. Stephenson Ave., in 1972.

In 1973 Bellringer, a women’s clothing store owned by Peter D. Koffman began operating at this address and eventually was incorporated into Koffman’s Store, Inc.

History of 511 (Continued): There were no entries for this address until 1975 and 1976, when Ruth C. Bird operated The Village Book Shop here, selling religious books and articles and good quality paperbacks and hard covered books. There were no further entries, probably indicating that the site had been incorporated into Koffman’s Store For Men.

End Part I