Back to the present
A Christmas photo taken in December 1948, the year that Colenso’s Inc. opened on the 400 block of Stephenson Avenue in Iron Mountain. The downtown business closed in 1982. (Photo provided by the Menominee Range Historical Museum)
The Colenso’s building on the 400 block of Stephenson Avenue in Iron Mountain is now home to Simple Treasures and BK Enterprises. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)
A Christmas photo taken in December 1948, the year that Colenso’s Inc. opened on the 400 block of Stephenson Avenue in Iron Mountain. The downtown business closed in 1982. (Photo provided by the Menominee Range Historical Museum)
The Colenso’s building on the 400 block of Stephenson Avenue in Iron Mountain is now home to Simple Treasures and BK Enterprises. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)
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This week's Back to the Present photo is one of only two Christmas season photographs in the Menominee Range Historical Museum's archives. It was taken in December 1948, the year that Colenso's Inc. opened on the 400 block of Stephenson Avenue in Iron Mountain. The downtown business closed in 1982.
The photograph was a master for Christmas cards sent to all their charge customers that year. It shows '40s vintage automobiles, many large display windows decorated for the holidays and also the Christmas tree in the second floor window.
In later years each window and each floor had its own Christmas tree with its own themed decorations. They totaled six in all and were a sight to see. That was a time when people still shopped downtown on Friday nights and before the highway expanded to four lanes and parking was no longer allowed.
The Merchants Association had piped Christmas music in and Santa collected donations on the corner for the Salvation Army with the coins ringing merrily in his iron pot, according to the Menominee Range Historical Museum.
The Colenso's building is now home to Simple Treasures and BK Enterprises.
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The Daily News is bringing back photos of "yesteryears." Each week, an historical photograph will be posted on The Daily News' Facebook page. Readers will be asked to identify the location, as well as share a memorable experience of the location. "Back to the present" will then be published in the Wednesday edition, including a current photo. Readers can comment on The Daily News' Facebook page, or email tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com with subject "Back to the present."