Director

This tour provides a brief account of Ely's historic downtown area. In the past the buildings here contained boarding houses and grocery stores and taverns - more than one might expect in such a small community. But its history started earlier.Indian tribes occupied the Ely area for thousands of years. The Sioux, followed by the Chippewa, were the most recent native inhabitants. In 1884 an early prospector discovered what he thought was gold. The gold, however, turned out to be iron pyrite, commonly known as fool’s gold. Soon, after a brief and disappointing gold rush, the massive iron ore deposits were discovered, and Ely was born. The community, initially called Florence, was established in 1887 and renamed “Ely” on April 23, 1888. That same year, the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad reached Ely, allowing the mines to ship their ore, and supporting transportation into the fledgling village. The population in March 1888 was just 177 people. Twelve years later in 1900, the population was 3717. Ely was a boom town. And the early years were rough and ready, with rooming houses where the miners slept in shifts and saloons where brawls were commonplace. Billie Sunday, an early evangelist, said that the only difference between Ely and hell was that “Ely (had) a railroad into it.”  As the town grew, new businesses were needed, families formed, and schools and churches were built.  In 1930, Ely reached its peak population of 6151. The early settlers who built Ely are gone, but we honor their legacy by appreciating their buildings and their stories. Additionally, we value the business owners of today who have chosen to maintain these buildings as a reminder of Ely's amazing past. And we thank you, for participating in the tour and hope you find it enjoyable. For more information on Ely’s history, visit the Ely-Winton Historical Society housed in the college at the east end of town.Sincerely, the Ely Heritage Preservation Commission with support from the Ely Winton Historical Society.

Ely Downtown Walking Tour Introduction

This tour provides a brief account of Ely's historic downtown area.  In the past the buildings here contained boarding houses and grocery stores and taverns - more than one might expect in such a small community.  But its history started earlier.
Indian tribes occupied the Ely area for thousands of years.  The Sioux, followed by the Chippewa, were the most recent native inhabitants.  In 1884 an early prospector discovered what he thought was gold. The gold, however, turned out to be iron pyrite, commonly known as fool’s gold.  Soon, after a brief and disappointing gold rush, the massive iron ore deposits were discovered, and Ely was born.  
The community, initially called Florence, was established in 1887 and renamed “Ely” on April 23, 1888.  That same year, the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad reached Ely, allowing the mines to ship their ore, and supporting transportation into the fledgling village.  The population in March 1888 was just 177 people.  Twelve years later in 1900, the population was 3717.  Ely was a boom town.  And the early years were rough and ready, with rooming houses where the miners slept in shifts and saloons where brawls were commonplace.  Billie Sunday, an early evangelist, said that the only difference between Ely and hell was that “Ely (had) a railroad into it.”   
As the town grew, new businesses were needed, families formed, and schools and churches were built.   In 1930, Ely reached its peak population of 6151.  
The early settlers who built Ely are gone, but we honor their legacy by appreciating their buildings and their stories.  Additionally, we value the business owners of today who have chosen to maintain these buildings as a reminder of Ely's amazing past.  
And we thank you, for participating in the tour and hope you find it enjoyable. For more information on Ely’s history, visit the Ely-Winton Historical Society housed in the college at the east end of town. 

Sincerely, the Ely Heritage Preservation Commission with support from the Ely Winton Historical Society.









The current Ely City Hall replaced an earlier 2 ½ story Victorian structure that was built on this site in 1899 under the direction of Thomas A. Jury. That building was considered one of the show cases of the Iron Range. However, after thirty years, the growing city required more administrative space. The Victorian was demolished, and this building constructed in its place. The community did not support a bonding bill for the project, so the city leaders developed a building fund which dedicated money to the project over several years. In 1930, it was determined that by January 1931 the fund would have the $150,000 needed and they began the project. Elwin H. Berg of Eveleth was selected as the architect. The Pfeffer Construction Company of Duluth was awarded the contract for general construction. And local businessman, E.L. Rautio, was awarded the contract for heating, ventilating, and plumbing.The Ely Miner reported that ‘The new and modern American style of architecture is not a fad but is here to remain, as it is very practical and at the same time beautiful to behold.’The building has a clean art deco design. Notice the low-relief geometric molding on the walls. There is a marble entry space, and oak trim and furnishings throughout. The stunning council chamber with its massive windows and floor to ceiling wood panels is also significant. This is a jewel from the WPA public building era. The chamber is open to the public when not otherwise in use. Pictures of past Ely mayors, line the second-floor hallways outside of the chamber and information regarding the more colorful mayors is available from the city clerk. There is also a display case with historic artifacts for visitors to enjoy. It includes early firefighting and police equipment as well as items from Ely’s history. Note the large painting in the second-floor lobby. This piece was done by Carl Gawboy, a local artist of Finnish and native American descent who is known for his work focusing on the local native American community and on Ely. This picture is of the Ely Railroad Depot, still standing at Central Avenue and Camp Street. You will see other work by Mr. Gawboy on this tour. In the lower level, there is a large vault that houses among other things, newspapers from the early days of Ely. The Ely Miner wrote, ‘The Ely Miner is also indebted to the city council for placing a series of shelves at our disposal upon which the files of this paper will be placed in a fireproof environment and in a position to be preserved… These books will come in handy one of these days when someone writes the history of Ely.’In 2013, the Ely City council approved a $2.4 million project to upgrade this historic building. The sleek Black addition on the east side, houses an elevator and wide stairs, allowing easy access to all floors. Major heating and electrical upgrades were also completed at that time. The project was completed in 2015.A memorial dedicated to Ely servicemen killed in the World Wars and in Viet Nam and Korea is located on the front lawn. In World War II, the City of Ely provided over 1600 soldiers, more than 25% of its population to the United States Armed Forces, a national per capita record.Ely welcomes you to its historic City Hall.

The Ely City Hall was built in 1930 for $150,000. When it was dedicated in December of that year, over 5000 people attended the open house. Tours took place from 9:00 a.m. until late into the night. There was a dedication at 4:30 then a banquet and speeches followed by a dance held at the Washington School. The three-story building contains Ely’s fire department, police department and city offices. Initially and until 2005, there was a courtroom on the top floor where Municipal Court was held. The court room now houses the Council Chamber and meeting room. The building is open to the public on weekdays.

Ely City Hall 

The main floor has an 1800 square foot lobby and a 2500 square foot workroom with segregated space for the ‘financial’ services. There is also a vault that was used when large monetary transactions were often handled through the postal service. The postmaster’s office is on the main floor. On the mezzanine level, there is an employee ‘break room’ where carriers and other employees could ‘grab a few moments of rest during the day’. There was also an observation room for inspectors with windows overlooking the workroom. The observation room was accessed by a stairway from outside. This was considered an effective security measure in the 1930s. The second floor initially housed other federal offices including the offices to support the Superior National Forest personnel and the U.S. customs officer.The New Deal program that funded this building was implemented through a series of agencies including the Works Projects Administration (WPA). The WPA projects were intended to stimulate the economy and provide jobs when the United States unemployment rate reached a high of 25%.  This building was one of over 125,000 public buildings, constructed as part of the WPA program. The New Deal also included an arts program. The two impressive murals in the Post Office Lobby were part of that program. The purpose of the art program was broader than the WPA effort. It was started, not so much to provide jobs, but instead to boost the morale of the people suffering from the Great Depression. President Roosevelt wanted “…. art that was native, human, eager and alive – all of it painted for the people of this country by their own kind in their own country and painted about things they know and look at often and have touched and loved.” Artists competed anonymously in regional and national contests.  After receiving a commission, the artist was encouraged to consult with the local postmaster and other townspeople to ensure the subject would be meaningful. Elsa Jemne was the artist who painted the murals in Ely’s Post Office lobby.  Ms. Jemne was born in St Paul in 1887 and attended the St Paul Institute, now the Minnesota Museum of American Art. She was a landscape painter, a portraitist, a muralist, and an illustrator. She studied in the U.S. and in Europe. While in Italy, she became familiar with fresco painting techniques. The murals in the Post Office are called “Wilderness” and “Iron Ore Mines”. When Ms. Jemne came to Ely to research the project, she visited the Pioneer Mine and rode the cage to the 13th level to better understand the mine work and the underground environment.She painted other murals well-known throughout the region, including works at the Hutchinson Post Office, the Stearns County Courthouse, the Minneapolis Armory, and the Ladysmith Wisconsin Post Office.   Most of her non-public work is privately owned and little of it can be seen publicly today. Her work in Ely took a year to complete between November 1939 and November 1940.In 2015, more than 1000 Post Offices across the U.S. continued to display the art developed during the Great Depression – art that was created for the American people and by American people to enjoy as they went about their daily lives.

The Federal Building or Post Office was built during the Great Economic Depression in 1938 by the U.S. Treasury Department. It was one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal projects. It cost $85,200 and was completed in 330 days by the Mads-Madsen Construction Firm from Minneapolis.   The outside dimensions of the main building are 84 feet by 63 feet. Today, the main floor provides post office space, and the lobby is open to the public. There is also a basement used for post office storage and mechanical functions.  The upper floor has eight offices. These were initially used for federal activities.  They now are rented to private businesses.

The Ely Post Office

The State was not the first theater in Ely. Movie theaters started appearing in this country at the turn of the Century. By 1914 the Elco Theater was operating on Chapman Street between Central and First Avenues. Silent movies were also shown at the Finnish Temperance Hall (later, ironically, a tavern and bowling alley). On July 14, 1935, The Ely Theater opened on Chapman Street followed within a year by this – the State Theater. There was much fanfare at the opening. Special note was given to the “High Fidelity” sound system that insured “brilliantly natural and intelligible sound – sound that until very recently was only possible in the world’s largest laboratories.” Every day there was a matinee at 2:00 pm and an evening show at 7:10 pm. On Saturdays there was also a midnight showing and on Sunday afternoons continuous showings started at 1:00 pm.On the weekend after opening, the State featured “The Ex-Mrs. Bradford” starring William Powell and Jean Arthur.  The theater was owned by the Swanson Brothers who managed it for many years.  In 1940 brothers Ralph and Jesse Swanson lived in the apartment above the theater with Jesse’s wife, Barbara, and children (Jesse, Barbara Joy, and John).  Later, son Jesse ran the business.In August 1983, Ron Forsman purchased the building and ran the theater.With the explosion of cable television channels in the 1970 and the movie video cassettes in the 1980 small neighborhood theaters struggled. The State Theater continued operation until February 2008 when it was closed and fell into serious disrepair. The theater, however, was destined for a new life. In 2014, the building was purchased by the Ott Family under Ely State Theater, LLC, a division of Alley A Realty. The Otts completed a stellar and much needed renovation, saving the building from demolition. The theater has retained many of the original features, including the impressive accent lights and the historic seat supports.In 2019 a non-profit (named Ely’s Historic State Theater) was formed to raise funds for the theater equipment and to oversee the management of the theater. In January of 2020 the first live performance was held (The Quiltmaker’s Gift) before the theater was closed by state mandate due to the COVID epidemic. On June 19, 2020, the state closure was lifted, and Ely’s Historic State Theater re-opened for its first movie screening (“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”).  Later that same year, the theater expanded into the renovated building to the east which provided a new concession area. On May 28, 2021, Ely’s Historic State Theater opened a second smaller theater within the expanded space, the Greenstone Cinema, and brought brand new movies (playing on opening day) to Ely.Now Ely’s Historic State Theater is proud to offer a mix of movies, live entertainment, and community events, all at an affordable and accessible price to people of all ages.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––October 15, I936 – the State Theater opens – The Swanson BrothersFebruary 1983 – Ron Forsman buys the State TheaterFebruary 2008 – the State Theater closes for businessJune 2020 – the State Reopens to the public

The Ely State Theater is an impressive example of Art Deco Architecture. It was designed by Liebenberg and Kaplan Architects, who in a 50-year period designed over 200 movie theaters, generally in the Art Deco Style. The theater was commissioned by the Swanson family and opened to the public on Sunday October 15th, 1936. The Swanson Family ran the business for forty-seven years. The theater closed in 2008 and was facing certain demolition when it was sold in 2014 to the Ott Family, owners of Alley A Realty. They completed a stellar restoration of the building.The theater is now operated by a committed non-profit organization called Ely’s Historic State Theater. They offer live entertainment and a variety of movies, as well as a surprisingly impressive concession stand.

The Ely State Theater

The Arrowhead Tavern was run by Joe Chrep and his wife Barbara. The Arrowhead was frequented by older gentlemen who wanted a little quiet relaxation at the end of the day.  You could pretty much count on discretion at the Arrowhead. And perhaps for this reason it was also the site where particularly tall, yet slightly underage patrons went to get a beer after a hard day at the nearby Junior College. A local resident remembers walking into the Arrowhead and being met by Mr. Chrep, the long-time owner.  Mr. Chrep, with a heavy Slovenian accent, asked him “You got papers?”   The underage (but tall) resident replied, “What kind of papers?” Mr. Chrep: “You know, license.”The resident, who certainly had a driver’s license, responded, “Sure I’ve got papers”. And so that day, the underage (but tall) resident became a somewhat regular patron of the Arrowhead.   There is a story that in the late 1960s, the local police had to take action and that there was a raid. Mr. Chrep was shut down for a brief period, and several slightly underage (but tall) young men were charged. Mr. Chrep felt so terrible about the whole incident he went over to the jail, visited the boys, and brought them food.  Joseph Chrep was born on 08/20/1898 in Pennsylvania to early Slovenian immigrants. His wife who helped to run the tavern was born in Yugoslavia in December of the same year.  They never had children and died in the early 1970s within two years of each other.The picture displayed of Joseph Chrep with the number 402 over his head is Joseph’s Mine Employee Identification picture. All mine employees from the period had pictures like this taken to ensure the ‘right’ person received their pay. After the Arrowhead, for almost three decades, the building housed the Ely Family Shoe Store, run by John and Mary Reichensperger.  Then it was home to Timber Ridge Trading, which sold rustic furniture and accessories, Kris Schmidt proprietor. The building was also home to Homespun Acres, an antique shop, which shared space with Timber Ridge, for a time.  Most recently (2017) it was purchased by Michael J. Gronski and became the Old-fashioned Candy Store you see today. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1940 (or before) – The Arrowhead Tavern, Joseph and Barbara Chrep1970 (about) – The Ely Shoe Store, John and Mary Reichensperger proprietors1999 – Timber Ridge Trading, Kris Schmidt Proprietor2013 – Homespun Acres Antiques joins Timber Ridge, Pam Bennett and Kathy Johnson proprietors2017 – The Old-Fashioned Candy Store

As late as 1914 this block had open lots with some homes and retail establishments scattered in-between. By 1924 it was filled primarily with retail establishments.   Our information about the businesses at 228 Sheridan starts in 1940 (or before) with the Arrowhead Tavern. The Arrowhead was a quiet establishment which was only licensed to sell beer and only beer with a low alcohol content – beer with 3.2% alcohol or less by weight. As was traditional in this type of establishment, an illegal bottle of hard liquor was stowed under the bar to allow trusted patrons the option of purchasing a non-licensed and illegal shot of brandy to supplement the weaker malt beverage legally served.   Read the backstory below to learn more about the Arrowhead. After 30 plus years as a tavern the building was acquired by John and Mary Reichensperger who sold shoes here under the name The Ely Family Shoe Store for another 30 years. It spent time after that as a gift, furniture, and antique shop. In 2017 it was purchased by Michael J. Gronski and became the Old-fashioned Candy Store you see today.

Ely's Old-Fashioned Candy

The small clothing store building on the west side of the lot owned by Joseph Bloomenson was eventually demolished and the larger two-story building that is here today was built. This new building was constructed in 1915 (about). The one story, east side of the building was added after 1924. In 1923 (or earlier), the west side housed Bourgin’s Dry Goods Store. Morris Bourgin, was another early immigrant of Russian/Lithuanian and Jewish descent. He came to the US in 1906 at the age of 26, leaving his wife Mary and their first child Frank in Lithuania. She heard little from him for five years until a letter came with two tickets to America. Later her son, Simon, retold her experience upon arriving in America: “when she came to Ellis Island she got on a train, and she got on a train, and got on a train, and she went on and on and finally got on the last train… She couldn’t understand what this husband of hers had done. It was the most godforsaken country; nothing by pine trees and boulders.”Morris Bourgin also started his American life as a peddler, carrying his wares in a pack on his back. He sold to the early settlers in Tower, Ely and those who lived in between. He carried shirts, work pants, boots, work shoes, and heavy underwear and gloves.  By 1920 he was a shopkeeper and by 1930 was running a women’s clothing store at this location and living upstairs with his family. During the challenging 1930’s Morris traded in furs which was a sometimes illegal but an important survival industry for many in the Ely area, during the Great Depression. Morris’ son Simon remembers hiding the furs in the attic until the Chicago wholesalers came to buy the contraband.Morris and Mary raised three children in Ely– Frank, David, and Simon. In 1940, they moved to Virginia, Minnesota.By the 1940’s the building had expanded into the vacant space to the east, covering two lots. It housed the Fisherman’s Headquarters and Canoe Outfitters business, initially run by Eric Roscher. During its time as Fisherman’s Headquarters, there were broad open display tables in the center, topped with bins to keep the many small souvenirs neatly separated. You could purchase smart moccasins with bead work as well as outdoor clothing on the left side of the store. Maps and fishing equipment were on the right.  Local mothers generally didn’t bring their children here because to their thinking, the children didn’t need souvenirs of Ely - they lived in Ely. But children were always fascinated by the decorated cups, the small plastic bears and wolves and other wonderful things in the Fisherman’s Headquarters’ bins. The business also sold canoes and other boats and motors.  The memory that many local people and visitors have of Fisherman’s Headquarters, is the summer fishing radio program that aired on the WELY radio station. It was emceed by Eric Roscher, Fisherman’s HQs’ first owner and Judge John “Shammy” Somrock. Loosely, the program opened as follows:“Let’s go fishing.”Blurrrrrrrr, Blurrrrrrr, Blurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr (the sound of a five-horse engine running).  “Here we are.”“Yes, here we are at the top of the hill on Sheridan Street under the sign of the jumping fish. The Let’s Go Fishing Show with Eric Roscher and Judge John ‘Shammy‘ Somrock.”At the end of the week, the person who registered the best fish would win a can of Arco Coffee.  The program appeared to be completely unrehearsed which made it well worth listening to, even for the non-fisherperson.In 1971, William and Marnie Grahek bought the business running it until 1995.  Marnie did the buying and ran the store. She said, ‘I loved it. It was the people who would come year after year that you would get to know.’Later the building housed the Ely Surf Shop, a 50’s style clothing store and restaurant. More recently, it held an extension of Schurke’s Winter Green Clothing Store, next door, until 2009 when it became Toys in the Woods. It is now the exciting Ely Folk School, which offers art, craft and construction classes.1907 – Joseph and Jennie Bloomenson run a clothing store in a small building on this site, as well as a business on Central Avenue1911 – Joseph and Jennie move to Minneapolis; son Abe takes over the Ely businesses1913 – Abe enters the service to support the U.S. effort in WWI1922 – Abe sells the businesses and leaves Ely1923 (or earlier) – Morris Bourgin runs a business here; the family lives upstairs1938 (or 1940) – The Bourgin family moves to Virginia Minnesota1949 (or earlier) Erik Roscher opens Fisherman’s Headquarters in this building and runs it for 22 years1971 – Marnie and Bill Grahek run Fisherman’s Headquarters in this building1995 (about) – The Ely Surf Shop1997 (about) - Wintergreen Northern Wear expansion space2009 – Toys in the Woods, Kurt and Becky Stacey proprietors2015 – The Ely Folk School

There was a small Jewish immigrant community in Ely at the city’s inception. Joseph Bloomenson was one of these early immigrants. Joseph had a small clothing store at this site in a building on the west side of the lot, which was later replaced by the larger structure you see today. Joseph immigrated from Lithuania/Russia in 1893 with his wife and three of his children, Abe, Rose, and Esther.  They had four more children in this country.Joseph began making his living in Ely as a peddler, selling his wares from a pushcart.  He eventually owned the small building on this site and later a general merchandise store on Central Avenue. By 1911 Joseph and Jennie moved to Minneapolis, leaving their son Abe to run the Ely enterprise. Two years later, in 1913 Abe left Ely to serve in WWI, leaving his sister with the responsibilities for running the stores. When Abe returned after the war, he sold the businesses and left Ely, eventually settling in Duluth where he did well in finance.The Ely Community will always be indebted to Abe Bloomenson for his generous donation in 1958 of $100,000 (over one million dollars in today’s dollars), to help build the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital which has faithfully served Ely, its residents and visitors, for over 65 years and continues to this day.For more of this Sheridan Street building’s history, please continue reading below.

Ely Folk School

This was a commercial building in early Ely. Our first information of a specific business here is Grahek Brother’s Meat and Grocery Store, which opened in 1902 (about) and was run by four Grahek brothers, all immigrants from Yugoslavia. The brothers had come to this country in the late 1800s and worked for their uncles, John and Mattie Kapsch who already owned several businesses in Ely.  In the early days, when there were no phones or internet, the brothers walked to their client’s locations in the morning to take orders. Then, in the afternoons, they returned to deliver the groceries in horse-drawn wagons.  Later, in 1938 (or before) the daughter of one of the brothers, Katherine Grace Grahek and her husband Joseph N. Klun ran the Sportsman’s Inn, at this location. They operated the business for 38 years until they retired in 1975.   The Sportsman’s Inn often provided respite for tourists and locals who were having their meat butchered or fish filleted next door at the Ely Locker Plant (now the location of Northern Toboggan Co.). This was especially handy since Kathrine’s sister, Marie, ran the locker plant with her husband Kenny Smith. The meat locker butchered deer and moose and filleted fish. They provided longer term freezer space (the lockers) and prepped and shipped product to almost every state in the U.S. for the tourists wanting to take their catch back home.  Marie became famous for her ability to fillet a fish in 30 seconds.  Joe and Kathrine retired as did Kenny and Marie. 203 East Sheridan was torn down and replaced by the log building you see today, but 205 East Sheridan started a new life as Ely TV and Radio, Julius Zaccagnini owner. The Electronics Shop had a long run from 1976 to the late 1980s. In 1990 the shop became the location for Wintergreen Northern Wear Clothing.Wintergreen was the product of Sue Schurke who designed and constructed the clothing and sled gear for the 1985 North Pole Expedition. This included 49 harnesses for the sled dogs. The Expedition, co-led by Will Steger and her husband, Paul Shurke, was the first dogsled journey to the North Pole without re-supply. It was a brutal 1000-mile trip and took 55 days – truly a challenge for dog and human. And Sue’s clothing withstood the challenge. It was made of the most lightweight, breathable nylon available at the time. The shop has continued to support arctic expeditions as well as clothing for just-cold places like Ely Minnesota.Both Will Steger and Paul Schurke have made other expeditions since 1985. Steger led the 1600-mile traverse of Greenland in 1988 (the longest unsupported dogsled expedition) and the first dogsled crossing of Antarctica – a seven-month 3741 mile journey. In 1989 Paul Schurke led the 1000-mile Soviet-American Bering Bridge Expedition across Siberia to Alaska.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1902 – The Grahek Brothers open Grahek Brothers Meat and Grocery1938 – Joseph and Katherine (Grahek) Klun open the Sportsman’s Inn1976 – Julius Zaccagnini operates Ely TV and Radio1990 – Wintergreen Clothing /Northern Wear– Sue and Paul Schurke2009 – Wintergreen Clothing (Kurt and Becky Stacy)2015 – Wintergreen Northern Wear – Sue and Paul Shurke2021 – Wintergreen Northern Wear – Jackson and Gabriel Harren

The Wintergreen Northern Wear Clothing building was constructed in 1902 (about). It had a varied history as a grocery store, a tavern, and electronics shop before becoming the storefront for Wintergreen Northern Wear that it is today. The clothing business was established in 1985 by Susan and Paul Schurke. Susan designed the clothing initially to support the 1985 North Pole Expedition co-led by her husband Paul Shurke and explorer Will Steger. The clothing, known for its warmth and charming Nordic design is manufactured and sold in Ely. In 2021, the business was sold to brothers Jackson and Gabriel Harren who continue to provide the styles designed by Susan.

Wintergreen Northern Wear

John Senior came to the United States from Austria/Hungary in 1889 and began his career working in the mines. He sent his son Steven to St John’s University to take business courses and by 1917 Steven had returned to join his father and brother, John, in running the Kovall and Sons Grocery and Meat Market at this site. Although the building would last, as John Senior had hoped, fate did not favor the family business. John Senior died in 1922, followed by Steven in 1925.The deaths of John Senior and Steven were catastrophic for the family. Without family workers, John Junior initially took on a partner, John Rikhus, but eventually sold his part of the business in 1928 to Matt Vertin and went to work at the Ely Water Plant.And when Steven died in 1925, he left a wife and seven children. There were few options at that time for families in these circumstances. John (Steven’s brother) already had seven children of his own and there were no safety net programs.  And so, Steven’s seven children were dispersed to family and friends in the Ely and Chisholm area.The Steven Kovall story does end happily. In 2016, the youngest of Steven’s daughters, Alice Ann, passed away in Grass Valley California at the age of 99. Her obituary tells how the family survived the loss of their father. Several years after Steven had died and the children were dispersed, Mrs. Kovall (Margaret Staresinisch), married a widower, Mr. Chelesnik. They moved to a farm outside of Ely and she gathered all her children back to her, as well as Mr. Chelesnik’s children.The Rikhus-Vertin History: In 1928 the building and business were owned and managed by Matt (Grandpa) Vertin and John Rikhus.  Matt Vertin was a Slovenian immigrant who started his career as a clerk at Lozar’s Table Supply (two blocks west on Sheridan).  John Rikhus, a first generation American of Norwegian descent, had begun his career as a farm laborer in Becker County, where his family lived. In 1928 the two men had partnered in the meat and grocery store business on this site. In 1938 they licensed their grocery business under the Piggly Wiggly name, which remained for many years. Interestingly, Piggly Wiggly was the first grocery store chain to allow self-service shopping using the concepts of grocery carts and checkout lanes. Until that time, grocery stores operated somewhat like jewelry stores do today. If the customer came in, they would request items and the grocer would gather them and package them. The grocery partnership ended by 1940.  John Rikhus took sole proprietorship of this business.  It included Rik’s Inn Restaurant and the Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store and Bakery. Matt Vertin ran Vertin’s Cafe in the Moose building, located further west on Sheridan Street. In 1948, Matt Vertin moved his restaurant to the Forest Hotel building where it remained for almost 20 years. Mr. Rikhus died in 1965 and Rik’s Inn and the Piggly Wiggly closed soon after.   In 1967 the Forest Hotel, which housed Mr. Vertin’s restaurant, was tragically destroyed by fire. Mr. Vertin and his son Matt Jr (Sonny) moved their business, Vertin’s Café, to this location – 145 East Sheridan.  Grandpa Vertin was a fixture here well into the 1980s and was loved and respected by all who met him. It was said that Grandpa Vertin was always ready to help. He would make malts, bus tables, ring up sales checks – whatever needed to be done, he would do. He was a partner to his employees and a gracious host to his guests. In 1984 Sonny Vertin sold the business. Subsequent manager/owners of the restaurant included Jo Jo Gerzin, Greg Hutar, Mike Rice and Jeff Potter. Vertins closed to the public in 2009, but after a spectacular renovation, re-opened in 2015 under the name “Insula”. The restaurant is now under the management of Dan and Sarah Vollum.  ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1900 – Grocery Store (east side) and Butcher Shop (west side)1906 – John Bartol Butcher Shop1914 – both buildings are vacant to expand1917 (about) – John Kovall and Sons build this building opening Kovall and Sons Grocery and Meat Market1928 – Grocery, Meats and Bakery – Rikhus and Vertin1940 – Piggly Wiggly Grocery and Bakery – John Rikhus proprietor1954 – (about) Piggly Wiggly, Bakery, Cafe and Greyhound Bus Depot – John Rikhus1968 – Vertin’s Café – Grandpa and Sonny Vertin1984 – Vertin’s Café – Jo Jo Gerzin1987 – Vertin’s Café – Greg Hutar1995 – Vertin’s Café – Mike Rice2001 – Vertin’s Café through 2009 – Jeff Potter2015 – Insula Restaurant – Dan and Sarah Vollom

This building was constructed in 1917 (about) by John Kovall Senior. It covers two lots. John Senior built it to expand the grocery and clothing business he had purchased in 1915 from the Saritori family located in the building next door to the west. His sons, John Junior and Steven, joined him as partners in the new business, “Kovall and Sons”.The building is amazing, constructed with 4x12 inch floor joists set 12 inches apart. The walls are brick to avoid fire, which was an early risk in Ely.  A building like this could support a family business for generations. But that is not what happened.

Insula Restaurant

The building continued as a private residence until the 1970s. The John B. Grahek family lived here from the mid-1930s to 1972. John and his wife Margaret raised six children here. They lost their youngest, Edward at the age of 20, in World War II. In 1975, the building housed its first commercial business, the Bois Fort Art Gallery.  The Bois Fort Gallery was initially opened on the Fernberg Road in 1973 by Carl Gawboy and then moved to this location in 1975. Carl Gawboy named the Gallery after the Bois Fort Band of Ojibwe Indians who lived in the area. Carl is of Ojibwe and Finnish descent and grew up speaking English, Finnish, and Ojibwe. He is a prominent Indian artist and a retired instructor from the Duluth College of St Scholastica. His art depicts the everyday lives of early American Indians as well as scenes from the City of Ely and the surrounding area.  Carl worked to dispel the stereotypical picture of the American Indian by capturing the Ojibwe at their daily activities – going ricing, setting up camp, and canoeing.  His original work and prints of his work can be seen at the Grand Ely Lodge Dining Room, The Ely-Winton Historical Museum and the Ely City Hall.   In 1979, Carl accepted a teaching position at the University of Minnesota and sold the business and building to Judy Danzel.   Judy expanded the business to include custom framing and a wider variety of Minnesota artists. She offered classes and workshops featuring Indian crafts like beadwork, birchbark basketry, and leatherwork as well as more standard classes such as framing.In 1995, Peter and Nina Kess, long time Bois Fort employees purchased the business, renaming it Kess Gallery. You might remember the Kess name from the history of 9 East Chapman Street. Peter is the grandson of Gust and Senja Maki, owners of Maki’s clothing in the early 1900s. In 2019, Peter and Nina retired and sold the building. We wait to see what new life it will have.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––A domicile owned at one time by Nellie McCarty1930 (about) – Residence of the John B. Grahek Family from the 1930s to 19721975 – Bois Fort Galley proprietor and artist, Carl Gawboy1979 – Bois Fort is purchased by Judy Danzel1995 – Peter Kess purchases the gallery renaming it Kess Gallery2019 – Peter and Nina retireThe building awaits a new business

As early as 1900 this building was a private residence. And in the early years, it was the personal residence of the ‘notorious’ Nellie McCarthy.Nellie ran a stylish establishment that catered to the many single men who came to Ely for work at the turn of the century. However, as civilization spread, she was forced to move her business multiple times to keep ‘ahead of the law’, as they say.  She eventually moved her business to a location between Winton and Ely where she would be free from the worry of municipal ordinances.  But her home was here on Sheridan Street.Continue reading to learn the later history of 130 East Sheridan.

Kess Gallery

Franz (or Frank) Pengal was born in Slovenia on October 4th, 1878. He arrived in New York in January 1905 when he was 26 years old. He had a friend in Ely, Minnesota.Francis Sheryak arrived in June of the same year. Francis had a sister, Mary, in Ely, Minnesota. And so, it came to be that Frank and Francis started their new lives together in Ely. They were married later in 1905 by Father Buh. Initially Frank worked in the Pioneer Mine, but by 1915 he had started his own retail establishment on Central Avenue where he sold candy and housewares. In1916, he purchased the building next door to this building and ran a dime store. In 1917 he bought the present building at 137 East Sheridan, opened Pengal’s General Merchandise Store, and sold groceries and clothing.   Frank and Francis had six children and as was traditional at the time, lived above their business. Grocery was more labor intensive then, than it is now. The grocery clerks would walk through the neighborhoods in the morning to take orders. In the afternoon, they delivered the orders by horse and wagon. When telephones became more commonplace, the orders were taken by phone. They also smoked their own polish sausages. Frank died in 1934 and Francis later in 1951. By then, two of the six children, daughters Frances Pengal and Josephine Pengal Grahek, ran the business. Groceries were phased out and the store featured women’s and children’s clothing and fabric. When Frances retired in 1975, the business closed temporarily. The entire Pengal family rallied to keep the store going while the current owners graduated from high school and later college to ultimately manage the business. Paul, at only 17 years old, worked after school as part of a work-study program, and attended buying trips with his aunt. Other siblings worked on weekends and during the summers.  Francis and her brother filled in. The Pengal business reflects the family commitment that allowed many of the early businesses in Ely to survive.In 1983, the family expanded the business to the west and changed the store front. In 1987, there was an additional expansion that allowed for the sale of specialty candy and chocolate.The Pengal Family has run a retail business in Ely for over 100 plus years and are valued members of the Ely community.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1900 – the Satori Brothers General Store1917 – Pengal’s General Merchandise2013 – Pengal’s Basswood Trading Company

This building started as a general store in 1900 and remained a general store through 1906 (or later) when it was owned by the Satoria Brothers, Frank and Dominik. We find them in the 1900 U.S. Census, living on the second floor above the store, with Frank’s wife, Angelica, and his daughter Maria. Frank and Dominik are young immigrants from Italy who have partnered to start their business on Sheridan Street. By 1917, they have sold their business and left Ely. Their fate is unknown to us. In 1917, Frank Pengal, an enterprising immigrant from Slovenia, bought the building and started a General Merchandise outlet at this location, beginning a 106-year history of Pengal ownership that continues to this day. The Pengal story follows.

Pengal's Basswood Trading Company

Theresa, born in 1908, was the fifth of six children born to Matthew and Margaret (Rozich) Agnich, both Austrian/Slovenian immigrants. When Theresa was just six years old, her father died. Her mother raised her family as a widow with the help of her husband’s brother, Steve Agnich. Despite the hardships that came with the loss of a parent during that period, Theresa was able to graduate from high school and then in 1928 from Ely Junior College (now Minnesota North College - Vermilion Campus). Theresa continued her education receiving a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from the University of Minnesota at a time when few women attended college. Upon graduation, Theresa worked as a hospital dietitian in the Twin Cities and maintained her job through the difficult 1930s when unemployment was high for everyone, but higher for women. Later during WWII Theresa served in the military, managing a military hospital food service in the Detroit area.  After the war, Theresa returned to Ely. As the only unmarried daughter in the family, it fell to her to care for her aging mother which she did with “appreciation” and “devotion” (as recounted by her nephew). During that time Theresa ran the Hillside Café in this building, offering excellent and healthy meals to her patrons.  Later, in the late 1950s through 1972 she managed the food service program at Ely’s Bloomenson Community Hospital. In addition to her activities as a career woman, Theresa was an active artist, gardener, and musician. In December of 1950 at the age of 42, Theresa married Joe Popesh. Their marriage lasted for 39 years until his death in 1990. When Theresa died seven years later at the age of 89, she left her entire estate to the Minnesota North College – Vermilion Foundation to fund scholarships for community college graduates going on to obtain their bachelor’s degrees, recognizing the important role education played in her own life and the opportunities it provided her.Other businesses followed the Hillside Café at this location. In the late 1950s, Sally Carlson Passi ran the restaurant, calling it Sally’s Hillside Café. In the mid-1960s the building housed Russ Robertson’s Ely Auto parts Store which operated there for over ten years. The building rested for a time. Then in 1999, the YaTaHey Outdoors Store opened here. YaTaHey, now on Harvey Street, provided a guiding service, snow mobile rentals, and fishing equipment. In 2007 Jessi Leeson completed a significant renovation and opened the Roots Hair Salon you see today.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1900 – a Saloon is here19?? – Poljaneco’s Bar1948 (about) ­­–Theresa Agnich returns to Ely and opens the Hillside Cafe1950 – Theresa marries Joe Popesh1950s (late) – Sally Carlson runs Sally’s Hillside Cafe1960 – Russ Robertsons Ely Auto Parts1999 – YaTaHey Outdoors Store – Roger Skraba proprietor2007 – Roots Hair Salon – Jessi Leeson proprietor

Although the early history of this building is somewhat unclear, it appears to have existed as early as 1900 when it was the site of a saloon. In 1906 the building was vacant. In 1914 a Variety Store was located here. And in 1916 it was home to Pengal’s Dime Store. Mr. Pengal had started a business on Central Avenue, and then moved to this location. In 1917/1918, he relocated again to the building next door to the east which continues to house the Pengal business today. Later this building was home to Poljanec’s Bar and in the late 1940s it was the Hillside Café operated by Theresa Agnich. Theresa’s story follows.

Roots Hair Salon

In 1947, Big Tom Brown rented this building and ran a liquor store here until his death in 1959. But his history goes back further to St Paul where he served on the St Paul Police Force during the lucrative 1920s and 1930s.Big Tom came to St Paul from West Virginia in 1910. He had various jobs before becoming a patrolman in 1914. In 1919 he was promoted to detective. And after distinguishing himself by gunning down an escaped murderer, he was appointed to the St Paul Police vice unit, the “purity squad”. As part of the squad, he quickly learned to extort money from gambling casinos, speakeasies, and brothels in exchange for protection from the police. At one point he was arrested for misappropriating large amounts of liquor confiscated in a police raid. He was known to protect known criminals such as John Dillinger and members of the Barker-Karpis Gang. In spite of (or perhaps because of) these activities, he eventually reached the position of St Paul Police Chief with the support of the notorious mobster, Leon Gleckman, aka ‘the Al Capone of St Paul’. During Brown’s tenure, he was said to have presided over a period of ‘unprecedented corruption.’ Eventually, he lost his position as chief when he was found to have ignored tips about a series of robberies executed by the Barker-Karpis Gang. Still, he maintained his position on the force and was appointed to the “kidnap squad”. This provided even more opportunities for personal gain. However, the kidnappings were not problem free and in 1936, he was implicated in a criminal conspiracy with local crime bosses and the Barker-Karpis gang in committing two kidnappings, the Bremer kidnapping and the Hamm kidnapping. He was discharged in October 1936 but was never successfully prosecuted for any of his crimes.After leaving the police force in disgrace, Big Tom moved to Morris, Minnesota and ran a liquor store there until 1946, at which time a municipal voting campaign forced him to close his business and leave town.He then moved to Ely, a reliably more tolerant community, where he ran “Tom Brown’s Bottle Shop” at this location.But Big Tom’s history in northern Minnesota goes back to an even earlier time when he was on the St Paul Police Force. During that time, he had property on Crane Lake. It was a ‘resort’ of sorts built on a point of land protected on most sides by water. Legend has it, that Tom Brown brought his mobster pals up to the cabin to hide out. When the property was sold, the new owners cleared out mountains of empty liquor bottles and cigarette marred furniture. There was also a very fast Chris Craft Cruiser in the boathouse, available for a speedy escape into Canada, should the Federal Agents get too close.  Tom Brown and his wife, Mary, are buried in the Ely Cemetery. You can visit them there today.The building continued as a liquor store and sometimes bar through multiple owners: Galpin’s Liquor (1960), Radar Liquor (1964), Stepec Liquor (1968), J&amp;J Liquor (1988 or earlier) and Wildlife Liquor (2005 about). Most recently, Wildlife Liquor was owned and operated by Sarah Burger, the granddaughter of the original property owner, Anton Stepec. It now awaits a new opportunity. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––In 1900 – empty lotIn 1906 – there is a small building of unknown use1934 (or earlier) – Bouska’s Liquor1947 – Big Tom Brown’s Liquor Store1960 – Galpins Liquor – Earl Galpin proprietor1964 (about) – Rader Liquor1968 – Stepec Liquor – Steve Stepec proprietor1980 (about) – Stepec Liquor – Jo and Cindy Kobe1988 (or earlier) – J+J Liquor – Jeff and Jolyn Arntz proprietors2005 (about) – Wildlife Liquor – Sarah (Stepec) Burger proprietor

In the early years there was a small building in this space, sometimes used as a livery stable for the larger building to the north. At some point, it became a part of the larger building, owned since 1923 by the Anton Stepec Family. The Stepecs rented the first-floor spaces to local businesses and lived on the second floor. In the 1930s or earlier, this smaller space was a liquor store, managed by Mr. Bouska. In 1947 Big Tom Brown continued the liquor business at this location. Big Tom Brown was one of Ely’s more famous (or infamous) residents. For more information on Big Tom, read below.

Tom Brown’s Bottle Shop (1947); Wildlife Liquor 

Matthew Gleason, the original owner, grew up in Michigan where his father was a miner. Matthew came to Ely in the early 1900s when he was 33 and with his wife Josephine raised their family, living on Harvey Street. He ran the business on Sheridan for about ten years although he kept and rented out the building for an additional 14 years after that.  In 1910 or shortly thereafter, the family (including seven children under the age of 13) moved to San Diego, where he once again operated a hardware store. In 1924, he sold this building to the Independent Order of Oddfellows. By 1930, wanderlust drove him to Oregon, where he continued in the hardware business and eventually retired with Josephine and his two youngest children. James I Laing continued the hardware business at 47 East Sheridan after Matthew Gleason. Laing Hardware and Mortuary was in operation for 40 years from 1910 (about) to 1949.  Mr. Laing and his wife Beatrice were Canadian immigrants of Scottish descent. They came to this country in 1908 when they were just 24 years old. Like the Gleasons, they lived on Harvey Street with their children. In 1949 the Laings retired, sold the business and moved to Montana to live near their son, Frank and his family. The building itself continued to be owned by the Odd Fellows.The story often told about Mr. Laing (and generally believed to be true) involved his mortuary business. One night, after he had locked the store and was on his way across the avenue to Kapsch’s Bar, two loggers walked up, carrying the body of a deceased co-worker between them. They were bringing their friend to Laing’s for his final disposition. Mr. Laing, however, was already on his way to Kapsch’s and so suggested the loggers accompany him. They, being loggers, agreed.  All four, including the deceased logger, leaned up against the bar at Kapsch’s. After several rounds, Mr. Laing left to go home. After a few more rounds, the mobile loggers left, leaving only the deceased logger, slouched in his seat, leaning over the bar. The bartender came to collect his money but after repeated demands for cash with no response, he hit the dead logger over the head with a liquor bottle. The logger fell to the floor. The bartender rushed over to assist and found the man to be dead. Being a law-abiding citizen, the bartender immediately called the police. He admitted to hitting the logger over the head with the liquor bottle, but he explained that there were extenuating circumstances – the logger, he said, had pulled a knife on him and it was self-defense.Lynn Paulson and Frank Kerntz followed Mr. Laing providing hardware services at 47 E Sheridan and end-of-life services at 46 First Avenue.  In 1961, Frank Kerntz died. Mr. Paulson continued to operate the hardware business until 1969 and the mortuary business until 1974. Upon Mr. Paulson’s retirement, the mortuary business was purchased by James and Terry Kerntz, sons of Paulson’s former partner. The business continues, under new ownership, now located on the corner of Second Avenue and Sheridan Street. In 1970 Gibson’s Hardware and Furniture used this building until the late 1970s when Emery Bulinski bought the building from the Odd Fellows and transformed it into the Cranberry’s Bar and Restaurant. Most recently, the Boathouse Brewpub and Restaurant has operated at this location. If you have time, stop by for a glass of blueberry beer.      –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1900 –empty lot1906 – Gleason Hardware, on the first floor; The Ely Club on the second floor 1910 (or earlier) – Laing Hardware1949 – Lynn Paulson and Frank Kerntz Hardware and Mortuary1961 – Lynn Hardware, Furniture and Funeral Home1970 – Gibson’s Hardware and Furniture1978 – Cranberry’s Bar and Restaurant2008 (or earlier) – The Boathouse Bar and Restaurant

In early 1900, this was an empty lot. Soon after, the building you see today was constructed by Matthew Gleason who ran a hardware store and mortuary on the first floor. It was customary during this period for hardware stores to provide end-of-life services as well as standard hardware products and furniture. The building continued with its mission until the late 1970s when it was purchased by Emery Bulinski and remodeled as a bar and restaurant. For thirty years, it was Cranberry’s. Then in 2008 (about) it changed ownership and became the Boathouse Brewpub and Restaurant. Read further to learn more about the early hardware days in Ely.

BOATHOUSE BREWPUB

After the bank closed in the 1930s Joe and Mary (Deyak) Klun, owners of a grocery and general merchandise store on Central Avenue, bought the building.In 1939 Frank Strukel, brother to Mary Klun, rented the building and ran a liquor store here for 23 years. He may have benefited from the walk-in safe as a place to store higher end spirits. The safe still exists today.Frank was born in Ely in 1908 to John and Francis (Grebenc) Strukel. John and Francis came from Yugoslavia and raised ten children in the Ely area. Frank initially worked for the city as a WPA payroll clerk, but in 1939, he started the business on Sheridan Street which he ran until 1962. Frank married Helen Kovall in 1934 and they raised one child, Virginia, initially living in the back section of the building and then later James Street.  Frank lived to be 93 years old. In the 1970s the building was home to a series of businesses often sharing the space. They included Hagglund Law, Ely Realty, Rick’s Clip Joint (hair care) and MacMillan Electric. In the 1980s the building primarily provided offices for attorneys. In the 1990s Roth Chiropractic had offices here as well as several attorneys and a CPA firm.Dr Roth retired and sold the building in 2021 to a corporation in Cook Minnesota – also the owners of the Boathouse next door. We wait to see what new businesses will open here. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1900 – retail1913 – this building was constructed for use as a bank1936 – the Bank closed during the Depression1939 – Frank Strukel Liquors1976 – Ely Business Center including the following businesses: Ely Realty Jack Garske and Duane Krause, MacMillan Electric, Rick’s Clip Joint, Rick Hild proprietor, Clarence Hagglund, attorney, John Bransom,1983 – Phillips &amp; Newman Law1988 – Phillips &amp; Newman Law, William Defenbaugh, atty1990 – Roth Chiropractic

This site originally housed a retail establishment. In 1913, the building you see today was erected as a bank, The First State Bank, with Mike J. Murphy as President.  Mr. Murphy was also an early mayor of Ely in 1927 and 1928. At opening, the capital stock of the bank was $25,000 and was funded completely by the people of Ely during a time when banks were not always trusted. The columns on the front of the building are made of imported Italian marble, meant to convey a sense of permanence and reliability.   However, this bank, as so many banks in the 1930s, did not fare well in the Depression. It closed its doors in 1936, following the federally declared bank holiday, leaving depositors with considerable losses.   There are still people in Ely today who want to get their money back from this unfortunate bank failure.

The First State Bank Building

The original Finnish Stock entrepreneurs, Mr. Porthan, Mr. Lund, and Mr. Watilo raised $1300 to develop the business. They were responding to what they believed were excessive prices being charged by the local merchants whose customers had few alternatives to buying locally. At the Finnish Stock Store, the customers could buy shares of stock in the business and then benefit from any profits made. The building housed the Finnish Stock Company until 1960. John Porthan, one of the original developers, was born in Finland in 1871 and came to this country when he was 19, initially working on the railroads and later at the Chandler Mine. He learned to speak English and used his skills as a bookkeeper and manager in the retail business.  He was also involved in a logging enterprise.  John married Edla Kinnari in 1903 and they raised twelve children, living on Harvey Street.  Edla died in 1917 leaving John with small children still at home. By 1930 John had remarried. John died in 1955 at the age of 84.Eric Lund was born in 1858, so older than John. He had married his wife Katie in Finland. They came to this country when he was 30 in 1888. By 1920 he had given up his career in retail and he and his family live in Duluth where he worked for the railroad.  It is unclear whether the Andrew Watilo who started the Finnish Stock was Andrew Senior, born in Finland in 1855 and immigrating in 1887 or his son, Andrew, also born in Finland in December 1884 but coming to the U.S. later in 1891.   It’s likely that the Finnish Stock Andrew was the son, who lists his profession in 1910 as a grocery clerk.  He later became the City of Ely Treasurer and in 1930 the City Clerk.  He married Helma and they had one daughter, Miriam. Ely Finnish Stock operated until 1960. After closing, the building was owned by neighbor, John Debeltz (proprietor of Dee’s Bar), and used primarily for storage. This turned out to be a good use of the building, as it was spared the unfortunate remodels that were popular in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1999 Patti Steger bought the building, which had essentially been unchanged since its early days, and completed a stellar restoration. In 2000, she moved her mukluk and clothing retail business to this location.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1898 – Gust Maki had a shoe and leather shop at this location1900 – Porthan, Lund and Watilo open The Finish Stock Company next door1914 - this building is erected1960 – Ely Finnish Stock closes for business2000 – Patti Steger opens Steger Mukluk’s at this location

In 1898 this location housed Gust Maki Senior’s shoe and leather shop. When Gust died prematurely of a ruptured appendix, his widow Amelia sold the leather shop property to the Finnish Stock Company, a grocery, dry goods, and women’s apparel consortium. The Finnish Stock Company had been in business since 1900, through the efforts of three Finnish immigrants, John E. Porthan, Eric Lund, and Andrew Watilo.  In 1914, they built the larger building you see before you today. The building housed the Finnish Stock Company from 1914 to 1960. The building rested for a time, but ultimately was purchased by Patti Steger in 1999 who completed a stellar restoration and returned it to its retail roots.

Steger Mukluks 

There is some uncertainty about the early years of this building. It appears that John ‘Giovanni’ Gianotti built this building and ran a saloon here in 1900. By I907 he moved his business next door to the building on the East. During the same year, young Mr. Louis Larson from Wisconsin ran the Northern Hotel and Saloon on this site through 1910 and perhaps longer. The Saloon was on the first floor and the hotel (more rooming house) was on the second floor. He employed three workers who lived on site and supported 15 boarders. Rates were $1.00 / day or reduced if rented by the week. The building was fitted with “all modern improvements”.We lose track of Mr. Larson and of the ownership of the building until the 1940s when the Komatars ran the Ely Hotel and Lounge. Joseph Komatar was a Slovenian immigrant and originally a tailor In Ely. He and his wife, Helen, survived the 1930’s Depression by moving to Minneapolis where he practiced his sewing trade for the Bond Clothing Company, and she worked for the Carnelian Beauty Salon. By 1940, they are back in Ely, and he is running the Ely Hotel and Lounge on this site, and she is the owner/operator of her own beauty salon.  The next proprietor was Louis (Kat) Zgonc. In 1955 (about) he sold the business to George Spalj who called it “George’s”. In 1970, Richard Anderson bought the bar and called it “The Portage Bar”.  Although Mr. Gianotti received high praise in his obituary for running an orderly establishment (“not once was it necessary for him to answer to the law for infractions of code”), the building has had a history of activity.  During the Portage Bar era, a local motorcycle enthusiast, Louie Champa, would ride through the bar on his 1340 Harley Low Rider, starting at the back door and covering the length the building. Patrons scattered once they saw the headlights and heard the engine revving at the back entrance. If Louie found himself to be thirsty, which he sometimes was, he would park his bike by the cigarette machine and stop for a quick one on his way through.  The building has been quiet now since the mid-1990s. We await a new life for the Ely Hotel and Lounge.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1900 –John ‘Giovanni’ Gianotti owns the Saloon1907 – Louis Larson runs the Northern Hotel (with First Class Bar in connection)1942 (or earlier) – Joseph Louis Komatar runs the tavern and hotel1949 – Kat Zgonc runs the Kat’s Bar1955 – George Spalj runs George’s Bar1970 – Richard Anderson runs the Portage Bar

The Portage Bar has a long history of dispensing spirits and during much of its life provided both short-term and long-term housing on the second floor. In the early years it was billed as a hotel, although sometimes functioned as a rooming house. By the mid-1950s the second floor provided housing for the saloon proprietor and his family. This was a relatively common choice for merchants in downtown Ely – ‘to live above the store’ – eliminating any commute and being available night and day to monitor the business. The details of 16 East Chapman follow.

Portage Bar

John Debeltz was born in 1907 in Ely Minnesota, the son of Slovenian immigrants. He worked in the mines as a pump man before starting the tavern. By 1940 he had married Sylvia Ina Johnson and they had two children. John ran the business for over 35 years.  In the 1970’s he turned management over to his son Donald. Donald continued the sensible practice of “living above the store” to be close to the business activity and to limit his commute. In 2004 his daughter, Carrie, bought the business and in 2018 completed a remodel, still carrying on the tradition started by her grandfather, John Dee.The history of Dee’s Bar is a story of slow cool beers in the afternoon and amazingly crowded Saturday nights, with music shaking the rafters. The bands playing here included the BobCats, The Electras, The Hot Rats, and the Chapman Street Blues Band. There were a series of polka bands including the ever-popular Hank Thunander Band, the Bob Doszak Band and the Richie Yurkovich Band. Country western and bluegrass bands joined the mix. There were summers in the 1970’s when there were bands playing every weekend. It’s hard to describe the energy and excitement of going to Dee’s Bar and dancing to the music until 1:00 a.m. and then walking out into the cool summer nights of Ely Minnesota. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1920s – Ely Hardware, John Harri Proprietor1920s (later) – Ely Hardware, Charles Merhar, Louis Champa and Peter Kayute1930 – Merhar, Champa and Kayute move their business to Chapman Street1935 – John (Dee) Debeltz buys the building1937 – John (Dee) Debeltz opens the tavern1941 – Remodel1970s – Donny Debeltz runs the business2004 – Carrie Debeltz buys the business

This site remained vacant from 1900 to 1924 and perhaps beyond. Although the Vail Hotel had been located to the west of this lot in 1900, after it burned in 1905, the four lots from Central Avenue east remained empty. Later in the 1920’s John Harri, an early Ely Mayor, built his hardware business, Ely Hardware, at this location. He sold the business to a consortium of Charles Merhar, Louis Champa, and Pete Kayute.  Ely Hardware operated here under their ownership until the 1930’s when they moved their business to Chapman Street and First Avenue (see the Ace Hardware Story at 48 East Chapman).  John Dee (Debeltz) bought the building in 1935. In 1937, he received a license to sell hard liquor and Dee’s Bar was born.

Dee's Bar

In 1929, The Sweet Shop was operating at this location. The Sweet Shop sold sweets and magazines and beer; there was a jukebox and a small dance floor in the establishment but no fountain.The Sweet Shop was run by John (Curley) Palcher and his wife Mary Merhar Palcher.  Curley’s life story had a particularly challenging beginning. Joseph, his father, was an Austria-Slovenian immigrant who worked in the mines. His mother, Johanna kept house for her husband and six children. When Johanna died at the tragically young age of 28 in 1909, Curley was just two years old. Without daycare or similar programs that are available today, several of the children, including Curley were sent to live with other families. Joseph appears as a widower in the 1910 Census with four of his six children living at home, along with a young housekeeper, Agnes Mehle.  Joseph and Agnes subsequently marry and ten years later Curley and Edward are back at home with their siblings and six additional children, the result of Joseph and Agnes’ happy marriage. All fourteen Palchers lived together on Lawrence Street in 1920.   Curley and his wife ran the Sweet Shop and also a dairy, delivering Bridgeman Russell’s Purity Pasteurized Milk to Ely residents.   In the late 1940’s, Joseph Omerza and his sister Helen ran the Sweet Shop business for a period, until 1956 when the building became the property of John and Sylvia Maki who operated Maki’s Bar at this location. Later residents included Helen and William (Sailor) Maki’s Upholstery Shop, K-C Upholstery, the Defenbaugh Law Office and most recently since 2000, the Brandenburg Gallery. Jim Brandenburg is certainly one of Ely’s more famous business owners. He is a world-renowned photographer whose work has been featured in the following publications: National Geographic, The New York Times, Audubon, The Smithsonian, Time, Outdoor Photography, Outside, National Wildlife and others. His photographs from the Ely area and around the world have won national and international awards.   Treat yourself to a few moments inside the gallery.  You’ll find it to be time well spent.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1900 – Sample room for the Vail Hotel1905 – The Vail Hotel burns1924 – This is still an empty lot1929 (or earlier) – The Ely Sweet Shop, John and Mary Palcher proprietors1949 – The Ely Sweet Shop, Joseph Omerza and sister Helen Omerza proprietors1956 – Maki’s Bar – John and Sylvia Maki1970 (or earlier) – Maki’s Upholstery – Helen Omerza Maki and William ‘Sailor’ Maki1986 – K-C Home Decorating – Kent and Carolyn (Columbo) Halberg1990 – Defenbaugh Law Office, Bill Defenbaugh Jr, Kent Holmberg, Eldon J. Hall1997 – The building rested2000 – The Jim Brandenburg Gallery

In Ely’s early history, half of this lot was part of the Vail Hotel which was located on the two lots to the west. The part of the building, located here, provided a meeting room for traveling vendors who used the space to show samples of their wares to local retailers.   After the Vail (and the sample room) burned in 1905, this lot remained empty for over twenty years until the building you see today was erected. Initially it was Palcher’s Sweet Shop, later Maki’s Bar, then Maki’s Upholstery, Defenbaugh Law and ultimately the Jim Brandenburg Gallery. Read below to learn about the more interesting tenants of 11 East Sheridan.

Brandenburg Gallery

Sylvia ran the Voyageur Café from 1952 until 1968 or later. Her clientele was primarily composed of the many elderly bachelors living in Ely who rented rooms without kitchen facilities. Sylvia would sell them each an $8.00 coupon book for $5.00. There were tags in the book from $.05 to $1.00 that her customers used for meals. Many of them ate three meals a day at the Voyageur and often stopped by for coffee.  Besides a limited menu, Sylvia offered two specials every day, which provided the variety her customers appreciated. She might offer beef stew, two slices of homemade bread and a beverage, as a special. Or meatloaf or spaghetti. Everything was homemade.But for Sylvia, who was born in 1912 and experienced the Great Depression, first in Finland and then later in America, the restaurant was more than a business. Sylvia was a caretaker who truly enjoyed feeding people. Her regulars were pampered by small personal attentions. She knew how they liked their burgers cooked and what they liked on them.  Additionally, she had a direct line to the local doctors. Dr. Snyker, Dr. Dobler and Dr. Grahek would call to tell her which of her customers should have less salt, for instance, or shouldn’t be eating the hot pork sandwiches. And Sylvia implemented those diet requirements.Sylvia had a family of her own, and they had the added family of the regulars from the cafe. Her daughter tells that when a stranger came in and asked for credit, Sylvia would tell them she wouldn’t give them credit, but if they washed her windows, they could have a meal there. Sylvia did not want them to have to owe the money. Sometimes her windows were washed three times in one day. Sylvia did not want anyone to go hungry. And like so many from her generation who had experienced want, she was generous to a fault. No one ever left the Voyageur Café hungry.    In 1973, the building had a short stint as L+S Electronics, a business venture started by Michael Landa and John Sever, two Ely high school friends tapping into the emerging electronics business of the 1970’s. The building later became overflow space for Maki Upholstery, located next door, until 1984 when the Maki’s retired. A few years later in 1989 Deborah and John Hanson bought the building for their T-shirt customization business, which has recently moved to the east end of town. The Voyageur awaits a new future.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1906 – 1924 or later - vacant lot1930 – Welsh’s Hamburger Stand – Charles M. Welsh1952 – Voyageur’s Café – Fannie M. Yadlosky1952 – Voyageur’s Café - Sylvia Wilmunen1968 (or later) – Voyageur’s Café – Laura Shanno1969 (or later) – Voyageur’s Café - Jean North / several other owners1973 – L+S Electronics – Michael Landa and John Sever1976 – Carver Bookkeeping and Accounting1978 (or later) through 1984 – Maki Upholstery (storage space)– Helen and Sailor Maki1989 – Hand-Done T-Shirts – Deborah and John Hanson2021 – awaiting a new business

As neighbors came and went, this location remained empty through 1924 and possibly later. The first known business at this location was Welsh’s Hamburger Stand. It was run by Charles M. Welsh, a Pennsylvania native who served from 1917 to 1919 as a cook during WWI.  With this to his credit, he opened his restaurant in Ely in 1930 (or earlier).  After Mr. Welsh’s passing in 1952, Fannie Yadlosky opened the Voyageur Café at this location but quickly sold the business to Sylvia Wilmunen who was the restaurant cook.  Sylvia was an industrious Finnish immigrant with a talent for business and for home cooking. Her story follows.

Hand-Done T-Shirts

In 1932 (about) after the Cohens left, Frank Lawich opened his barber shop and residence at this location. He worked here for about ten years until he moved to Chapman Street in the 1940s. Mr. Lawrich believed in providing value for his services and so was sometimes referred to as Hair Hungry Frank. ‘Hair Hungry’ was the first of several unique and sometimes colorful bachelors to run their businesses in the building. After Mr. Lawrich, Bob Wild ran his electric repair shop in the building for over two decades. Bob Wild’s name belied his slow and quiet speaking style which made even the most fascinating electric repair topics seem uninteresting. Although a solid technician and kindly person, passersby ducked into alley ways to avoid a lengthy conversation about electrical repair with Bob.  In 1970 Bob moved his business across the street to 105 North Central. Soon after Henry the Shoemaker ran his business here before later moving to West Sheridan Street.In 1987, Jim Mealey and Terry Murphy opened their gift and sauna shop on this site. It’s a perfect place to pick out that unusual item for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list. Also stop by the shop in the building to the north which includes furniture and decorative accessories for the northern home.   1914 – Empty lot  1920 – Sam Cohen, owner of the building to the North, collected fur pelts at or near this site1924 (or earlier) – The building you see today was at this location1930 – Sam Cohen moved to Duluth to start Master Furriers; Matt and Theresa Obestar own the building to the North and probably this building1932-1940 (or longer) – Frank Lawrich had his barbershop and residence at this site before moving to Chapman Street1940 Ely Paint and Decorating (possibly)1957-1969 – Bob Wild’s Electric Repair Shop1970 (about) – Brandt’s Used Goods1973 – Henry Held’s Leather Repair Shop1985-1986 Canoe Country Crafts1987 – Mealey’s Gift and Sauna Shop

In 1900 through 1914 and possibly later, this lot was occupied by outbuildings for the boarding house to the North. The first documented record of a significant building on this site, appears in 1924.  The original occupant is uncertain although there is evidence that in 1920, Sam Cohen, owner of the Boarding House, used this building to collect and store fur pelts purchased from local trappers. Once collected they would be transported to Duluth to be made into expensive mink and fox coats, and beaver hats. By 1930 Mr. Cohen and his family had moved to Duluth where he managed Master Furriers. A series of businesses followed until 1987 when the current owners opened their gift and sauna shop at this location. Read more to learn about the history of this building.

Mealy's Gift and Sauna Shop

The building was initially built in 1905 (about) by Joseph and Jennie Bloomenson. The family emigrated from Lithuania/Russia in 1894 and lived in the Ely area during the 1900 US Federal Census. The Bloomenson retail business started without a building at all. Joseph initially sold his wares from a pushcart on the street. Eventually Joseph established the business in the store at 109 North Central. By 1913, Joseph and Jennie moved to Minneapolis, leaving their son Abe to run the store.During WWI, Abe went into the service leaving his sister to manage the store. In 1921, after he returned, he sold the business to William Mills who had clerked for him prior to the war. Abe went on to run a successful company in Duluth, Minnesota. He married Hannah Berkowitz in 1933 and they had one son, Paul. In 1957, he generously donated $100,000 toward building the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital, which was named in his honor.William Mills, the new owner, was a Finnish immigrant. He continued the clothing business at the 109 location and in the 1920’s married Hilma Rautio, from Tower-Soudan. They raised three children living in the upstairs apartment above the store. Once again, it was a family business where everyone pitched in. In 1955, Mills retired and sold the business to his son, William O. (Bill) Mills. Bill was born in the apartment and had worked in the store growing up and after his military service during WWII.  In 1957 Bill moved the business to a new building on Chapman Street (now the site of Serena’s Carpet). The clothing business continued through the third generation when Bill’s son, John, bought the business moving it to 230 East Sheridan, just up the hill from his grandfather’s original store. John has recently retired, and the next generation has not continued the business, but the Mills story is not an uncommon story in Ely – the story of a family business nurtured and grown to support multiple generations. The current owners, Steve and Nancy Piragis, built their outdoor business in Ely as well, starting without a retail store front and eventually settling here in the Bloomenson Clothing Building and the Forsman Tavern Building next door to the south. Their daughter is now involved in the business and the second generation is carrying on the tradition.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1900 – this is an empty lot; Joseph Bloomenson is a peddler in Ely1906 – Joseph Bloomenson’s Clothing Store is at this location1913 (or earlier) – son Abe Bloomenson owns the Men’s Furnishing Store here1921 – William Mills buys the store, marries, and raises his family in the apartment upstairs              (01/14/1921)1955 – William Mills retires and sells the business to his son, Bill Mills1957 – Bill moves the business to a new location; the Ely Shopper inhabits the building for 34 years1991 – Nancy and Steve Piragis buy the building, combine it with the building next door and open their outdoors clothing and equipment store

This building must be a singularly hospitable place. It has only housed three businesses during its 116-year history. The initial clothing business remained here from 1906 (about) until 1957, when Bill Mills, moved the business to Chapman Street. Then, a local advertising publication, The Ely Shopper, spent 34 years here. The last caretakers have been Steve and Nancy Piragis operating their Northwoods Company at this location (and the adjacent building – 105 North Central) since 1991. Although there have not been many owners, the stories are indicative of Ely’s history. They are the stories of the hard work required to build a business – and the taking of risks, of doing the work and of succeeding.

Piragas Northwoods Company

The National Home was developed when the Ely Slovenian Library (The Slovenian Citainica) united with eight local Slovenian fraternal organizations to buy the building and support common programs. Fraternal organizations were critical to immigrants at the turn of the century in providing insurance and social connections to their members. They also supported programs that helped to maintain ethnic traditions, including providing newspapers and books and dramatic performances in the immigrants’ native languages. The eight disparate Ely Slovenian groups united with the Citainica to purchase the building, developing a ‘home’ for the many Slovenian immigrants living in the area.  Money was raised through membership fees ($.50/month/member) and rental income from the first-floor businesses. Even with this limited source of income, the mortgage was paid off by June 1921. By 1929 all membership fees were discontinued. There have been no membership fees since.Over time the ground floor was home to the Moose Lodge, a pool hall, and later the Tauzel and Lawrich Mercantile Store. In 1940, the National Home procured a club liquor license and operated a private club on the ground level until 1956 when they sold the building to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and moved to their newly constructed building on the northwest corner of Chapman Street and First Avenue (also included in this tour).The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Club paid $30,000 for the building in 1956. Ely’s VFW, Post 2717, has been an active organization throughout much of Ely’s history. The Post was granted its charter in 1938 with the purpose of promoting patriotism, education, and comradeship. The charter specifically calls out the purpose of maintaining “true allegiance to the government of the United States of America and fidelity to its constitution and laws… and to preserve and defend the United States from all her enemies...” To be a VFW member a person must have served honorably in overseas engagement for which a campaign badge or medal has been authorized. No others may join.Over the years, the VFW group provided educational scholarships and funding that supported local worthy causes.  They hosted a disabled veterans fishing event for many years. Ely’s post reached its peak membership in 1972 with 620 members. And although a smaller group today, they still provide a presence in local community events including parades, Memorial Day events, etc. carrying on their mission of education and care. The state VFW convention was held in Ely in 1961 - the same year the Ely VFW baseball team won the VFW state championship.The organization had a large membership due to the city’s high participation rate in World War II.  More than 1600 of Ely’s men and woman served, which was nearly 25% of the population. The VFW operated their club here until 2015 when they sold the building to developer John Ott and Family (Alley A Realty). After an impressive renovation which exposed many of the building’s original features, the building began its new life as a Coffee Shop and Wine Bar, ‘Northern Grounds”, under the careful management of Cindy Smyka.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1890-1891 – Hosking and Donnelly Bodega1900 – Matt Gustafson’s Saloon1905 – Peter and Hulda Bergleen’s Saloon1919 – Jugoslav National Home buys the buildingThe Moose Club operates their club herePool Hall1925-1931 – Tauzel and Lawrich Mercantile1940 – The Jugosalv National Home Club1956 – The Ely VFW Club buys the building and opens for business2015 – Developer John Ott2016 – Cindy Smyka opens Northern Grounds

This location was home to one of the earliest buildings in Ely. In 1890 and 1891, this was a bodega run by Thomas Donnelly and John Hosking.  In 1900, Matt Gustafson’s Saloon and Lunchroom was located here.  In 1905, Peter and Hulda Bergleen, Minnesotans of Swedish descent, operated a saloon on the site. By 1917, the Bergleens had moved to Seattle. And in 1919, the building owners, brothers George and Thomas Hoskin from England, sold the building to the newly formed Ely Jugoslav National Home Organization for $7500. The National Home owned the building for 37 years. In 1956, they sold the building to the Ely Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) who retained it for another 59 years.The stories of the Jugoslav National Home (also known as the National Home, or simply, The Home) and the Ely VFW follow.

Northern Grounds

: Jacob Leonard Pete was born in Minnesota in January of 1896 to Herman and Elizabeth (Untinen) Pete. Herman and Elizabeth were Finnish immigrants who initially came to Ely on foot, walking the trail from Two Harbors. Herman was a day laborer in 1900 but was in the logging business by the 1920s. At that time his sons, Jacob and John, were also in logging.  In the 1920s Jacob, the son, built this building and ran a Chrysler Dealership here.  In 1935, Jacob founded Pete’s Cabin Boats. The cabin boat business developed from an idea that was used in his lumbering work, that of a wanigan. A wanigan describes a floating barge with a tent or structure on top, used as a mobile kitchen and sometimes sleeping facility at the cutting locations.  He began using a wanigan for his personal use and later started the cabin boat business on Basswood Lake. He was quite busy as he ran the auto dealership, continued the logging business in the winter and ran the cabin boat business in the summer. Besides his businesses, he served as a St Louis County Commissioner during the 1930s, for 16 years.   In the 1940s, Jacob rented the automobile sales portion of the building to Al Wiinikainen who sold Dodges, Plymouths, and a full line of GE appliances at this location for over 20 years.  When Al retired, his primary mechanic, Matt Hill continued a repair service in the building for a time. Mike’s Motors used some of the space to prep automobiles. Additionally in the 1970’s, Mike’s Motors housed a body shop in the back section which operated here for over 40 years until 2016.  The second story of this building served as offices for Jacob’s Cabin Boat business as well as for insurance, law, chiropractic, and U.S. Forest Service offices over the years. It was also the home of Ely’s first radio station. Jacob used the basement to store and pack supplies for his cabin boat business.Jacob and later his son James ran the cabin boat business until the 1970s, when the BWCA was established, and they were required to give up their business.   Jacob died in 1988. In 2002, James Pete sold the building. Soon after, Brad and Mystaya Ruoho bought the building. In 2003 the building was home to Voltz Technologies, which subsequently moved to Sheridan Street and operates under new management. In 2012 the Ruohos opened the Legacy Toy Store in the southeast side of the building. The store provides an impressive selection of educational, inspiring and just plain fun toys for children of all ages. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1888 – Chandler House and Cormack Mercantile – James Cormack proprietor1924 – The Pete Building is constructed; Jacob Pete establishes a car dealership and offices1940s – Dodge and Plymouth Dealership and Appliance store - Al Wiinikainen proprietor2002 – James Pete sells the building.2003 (about)– Brad and Mystia Ruoho buy the building and opens Voltz Electronics2012 – The Ruoho’s open Legacy Toys2014 – Jim Robbins purchases Voltz Technologies and subsequently moves to Sheridan Street

In 1888, the first Ely Merchant, James Cormack, opened the Cormack Mercantile business on this site.  It was in a large log building that was moved, log by log, from Spalding. The retail establishment was on the first floor in the front. The Chandler House Hotel was in the back and on the second floor.   In 1924 Jacob Pete, built the brick structure you see today. The main floor served as a car dealership and car repair shop for decades. Business offices filled the top floors. The lower level was used to stage product for Jacob Pete’s other businesses. The story of the Pete family and further information on the building follow.

Legacy Toys

The Sisu Design Shop and Joe’s Marine (the building next door to the east) were built when Ely was just forming as a city. Frank Hodge, the early owner, came to this country from England in 1879 with his wife, Ellen. They initially settled in Michigan (1880) where Frank worked as a Blacksmith and where three of their eight children were born. By 1885 they were in Ely, living in this house and running the Blacksmith business next door.Frank continued to operate the Blacksmith business until he passed in 1916. The shop became an auto store for a time, but by 1930 (or earlier) it had returned to its roots as a Blacksmith shop with John Nordstrom as the proprietor. When Mr. Nordstrom retired in 1974, Joe Gilbert bought the property and opened Joe’s Marine on the site, providing quality engine and boat services for over four decades.The Hodge house was sold after John Hodge passed in 1916 (about) to August Haapala. Ellen, Frank’s wife, went to live with her daughter and family just across the street and worked as a private nurse until her death in 1925. Frank and Ellen are buried in the Ely cemetery.The new owner of the house, August Haapala was a Finnish immigrant who initially worked as an iron miner in Ely, but with the purchase of this building became a shoe repair man. He had come to this country in 1908, married Jennie Herrala, a Minnesota woman of Finnish descent and raised a family of five. They lived on a farm outside of the city in Morse Township. Jennie, with the help of the children, ran the farm as ‘an unpaid family worker.’ August ran the shoe repair shop on Chapman Street. August died in 1973 but the building stayed in the family.August’s granddaughter, Susan Saari purchased the building. Susan had an interesting life, growing up initially in Ely and later in California. She learned weaving in the exhilarating 1960s in California, was one of the early Peace Corps volunteers, serving in Africa, and traveled extensively as a young woman. In 1978 (about) she settled in Ely, married, and opened a weaving studio called Sisu Designs in this building. The business eventually evolved into a knitting shop. But the real service Susan provided, beyond wonderful yarn and excellent advice, was the warm and welcoming atmosphere that all her patrons felt when they entered the Sisu Studio for over 30 years.Susan retired in 2013. Her long-time friend and fellow knitter, Anna Shallman, now continues the yarn shop tradition developed by Susan.  –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1885 (about) – Frank Hodges lives here with his Blacksmith shop next door.1917 (about) – Frank dies; his family sells the building to August Haapala1917 – August Haapala runs a shoe repair shop1978 (about) – August’s granddaughter, Susan Saari opens Sisu Designs2013 – Anna Shallman runs Sisu Designs

As the design of the building indicates, this was originally a private home. In the 1920s August Haapala bought the building and ran his shoe repair shop here for decades. In 1978 his granddaughter, Susan Saari, opened her knitting shop in the building, calling the business Sisu (pronounced see sue) Designs. Sisu is a Finnish word, and although the Finns claim there is no equivalent word in English, it may be best described as a combination of grit, guts, perseverance, and spunk. It is Sisu that allows the Finns to swim in icy water after a winter sauna. Susan retired from the business in 2013. It is now under the care of Susan’s long-time friend and fellow knitter, Anna Shallman.

Sisu Designs

Initially, the livery stable was run by Hannah and William Scott, immigrants from Canada. The Scotts also owned the building to west where they operated a saloon.  By 1910, the Scotts had moved to Oregon and the Livery Stable was run by John A. Dinsmore, also from Canada. Mr. Dinsmore lived on Harvey Street with his wife and three children. He managed the business until the year before his death in 1921. The building you see today was built in 1920 (about). Best available information has Otto Hokkanen running his photography business here as early as 1921 and until 1951.    Mr. Hokkanen had practiced his photography trade in Ely since soon after his arrival from Finland in 1912. Initially, he worked for Oppie Photography. When he opened his own business at 5 East Chapman, he named the shop ‘Otto Hokkanen’s Cyko Arts’.  Cyko was a photography paper that supported ‘beautiful platinum, Black-and-white effects or by adding Cyko Toner (to the developing process) red, brown or sepia tones as desired.’  In 1916, Otto married Katie Maki. In 1930 they were living on Harvey Street with their two children. He retired at 62 selling his building and business to Eero Lane.In 1951, Eero Laine, a camera expert who had worked for Eastman Kodak Company in New York, moved to Ely where his wife had family and took over the business. Eero named the business, Cyko Arts Studio and Camera. Eventually, he expanded to include space in the building next door at 9 East Chapman and he added Records and Crafts.In 1968, Mr. Laine had consolidated his business at #9 and this building began its long and successful career as a restaurant.  Edna Erchul, a successful restaurateur moved her business (Edna’s Café) to this location in 1968. That same year, George and Shirley Britton bought the business and Britton’s Restaurant was born. Shirley ran the restaurant for 27 years until 1995 when she sold the restaurant to Bonnie Jacobson. Throughout its restaurant history this establishment has been known for its excellent home cooking, extremely generous portions, and friendly atmosphere. As late as the 1970s Brittons offered coupon books for those making the restaurant their primary source of sustenance.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1900 (or earlier) – Charles E. Ayers ran a small Jewelry Store located on part of the west side of the lot; the remainder of the lot was a livery stable owned by William Scott; the corner lot to the west was also owned by the Scotts in 1891 and was a saloon1910 – livery stable owned by John Dinsmore1921 – Cyko Arts photography shop – Otto Hokkanen1951 – Cyko Arts Studio and Camera – Eero Laine1968 – Edna’s Café – Edna Erchul1968 – Britton’s Café - Shirley Britton1995 – Britton’s Café – Bonnie Jacobson

In 1900, Charles E. Ayers ran a jewelry store in a small building at the front (southwest corner) of this lot. The rest of the lot was part of a large livery stable that covered the remainder of this space and the back of the lot to the west. The livery stable operated until 1920 (about), when the popularity of cars, caused many liveries to be converted to garages. That did not happen here. The livery was torn down and in 1920 the building you see today was constructed. It spent much of its life providing photography and camera services before becoming the restaurant it is now. Read below for additional history.

Britton's Cafe

Gust Maki was eight years old when he came from Finland with his parents in 1894. His father, also named Gust Maki, ran a successful shoe and leather shop on Sheridan Street.  Then in 1898, when Gust Junior was only 12, his father died of a ruptured appendix, leaving his mother, Amelia with six small children. With life expectancies low and the world a dangerous place, there were few options for Amelia. But she did not remarry as was customary at the time. In 1911, she sold the shop on Sheridan Street to the Finnish Stock Company and bought a large house on Conan Street where she was able to take in boarders to support her family.   Gust Junior began his working career at age 14 in the Chandler Mine Blacksmith Shop. He later got a job as a clerk in Paddy Vail’s Clothing store where he met his wife-to-be, Senja Nikka, who was working at the Vail Hotel at that time.  In 1907 they married and nineteen years later they bought the building at 9 East Chapman.   It is said that whenever a Finnish man died, Gust would take a new clean white shirt from his stock and send it to the funeral home believing that everyone should have dress clothes to be buried in. Many people in Ely at that time, didn’t own such items. Gust and Senja had five children. Their daughter Merna married Roy Kess, who bought the business from his in-laws in 1947 and ran it until 1968. Gust died in 1954 at the age of 67. Senja lived to be 100, passing in 1988. Many of the Maki grandchildren and great grandchildren still live in the Ely area. In 1968 Ero Laine opened Cyko Art Hobby Craft here, eventually moving his Record and Camera shop located at 5 East Chapman (next door), to this location. His was a popular shop in the 1950 and 1960. All the teens came to his store on Saturday mornings to ponder over coveted 45 RPM records, along with camera and photo finishing supplies. Later, the business was run by Ero’s son, Roger Laine, for over 40 years during which time it focused on copy and print services. In 2014 Kara Polyner bought the business and added her sign making and design services as well as photographic processing to the existing copy and print functions.The building, which belonged to the Kess Family since the original purchase in 1926, was sold in 2018. It now belongs to Treehouse Broadband, a local service providing high speed and reliable internet access to the community. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1891 – Bakkala &amp; Jansen saloon1907 – Nastor Mattson’s SaloonMike Sihto Saloon1915 (or earlier) – Matt Heranen’s Clothing Store1926 – Gust and Senja Maki buy the building and establish, Maki’s Clothing1947 – Son-in-law Roy Kess buys the business from his wife’s parents1968 – Roy retires and closes Maki Clothing; Ero Laine opens Cyko Arts Hobby at this site1970 (about) – Ero Laine moves his record and camera business to this site as well1973 – Ero’s son, Roger, takes over the business2014 – Kara Polyner moves Ely Design Works to this site2019 – Tree House Broadband

This building was completed in 1891 or before. In 1891 it housed a saloon. In that year Axel Bakkala and Isak Jansen applied for a liquor license from the City of Ely for this location. We have no reason to believe that it would have been denied and so they were likely the proprietors. In 1907 Nastor Mattson ran a saloon here and lived in the building. Later Mike Sihto owned the building and perhaps ran a saloon as well.  Although saloons tended to be profitable enterprises in Ely at the beginning of the century, in 1915 (or earlier) Matt Herranen converted the building and operated a clothing store here. Later in 1926 Gust and Senja Maki bought the building and established their men’s apparel store, Maki’s Clothing. The building remained a clothing store for 42 years before becoming home to the Ero Laine record and camera business. It later serves time as a print shop and later a sign shop. The history of Gust Maki and the other businesses follow.

Treehouse Broadband

In 1945, the Jugoslav Organization had an interest in expansion and bought the Vail Building (pictured) which existed on this corner. The Chocolate Shop, Klug’s Department Store and M.J. Murphy’s generated rental income during the period the Jugoslav organization investigated alternatives.  For ten years, they debated plans, but the costs were always too high. Finally in 1955 the JC Penney Company expressed an interest in rental space and signed a lease for the building, even before construction started. An architect was commissioned to draw up the plans according to the Penney’s specification. Amid diverse opinions, The Vail Building was torn down and this building was erected for a cost of $209,500. Loans supplemented the money the Jugoslav organization had available for the project. Through events and donations, the loans were repaid by 1965. The JC Penney Store opened in January 1957. The second floor held offices, an event room, and the National Home ‘Club’ Bar. The Bar did a small quiet business, mostly with the after-work crowd who would stop for a drink before heading home for dinner. Its biggest income day was Sunday when other taverns in Ely were closed due to Minnesota State Law. The Home, being a private club, could sell liquor on Sundays. It had a limited drink menu and no blender. If some unsuspecting person requested a fancy drink that required a blender, he or she would be told to, ‘go across the street’, but if they wanted a ‘real drink’ they should sit down at the bar. The patron would then be given what is known as ‘a bump and a beer,’ effectively a shot of brandy with a side of beer. These two items could be drunk sequentially, or together by dropping the bump into the glass of beer and then downing it all at once.The bar attracted a bevy of colorful characters. Vicky Kaplan tended bar there for decades. She was a skinny little lady who could out-cuss and out-spit any seasoned logger. Bell Zgonc was the sweet manager who quietly handled any sticky situation.  Mr. Mestnik handled the money. It was a great bar.It is unclear when the Jugoslav Bar closed. J.C. Penney’s, focusing on its catalogue sales, moved to a smaller location on Sheridan Street in 1990. Then in 1994, the building got new life when NAPA Autoparts opened in the large first floor.   1900 – clothing store on the west, saloon on the east 1902 – clothing store on the west (M.J. Murphy’s), the Arcade Saloon (Bart Coffey proprietor) on the east1926 (or earlier) -- The Chocolate Shop1945 -- Klugs Department Store moves into Chocolate Shop location1955 – The Vail Building is demolished1956 – Construction of this building began1957 – J.C. Penney opens1990 (about) – Penneys moves to Sheridan Street1994 – Napa Autoparts

The history of this building is inextricably connected to the Hoskin’s Building on Sheridan Street and Central Avenue (now Northern Grounds Cafe). It was in that building that the Jugoslav National Home organization united eight independent Slovenian fraternal groups and the Slovenian Library for the purpose of developing a common library and meeting hall. The ‘Home’ bought the Hoskins Building in 1919 for $7500. By 1945, the organization began discussing expansion. To that end, they purchased the Vail Building where the Chocolate Shop and Murphy Clothing were located. Ten years later, they reached agreement on a plan to demolish the Vail Building and build the building you see today. Read more of this building’s history below.

NAPA Auto Parts

Mr. Anderson built the building in 1890 (about). In December 1890, he took on a partner, Otto G. Korb and together they ran their store under the name of Anderson and Korb. Mr. Korb was a member of the first Board of Trustees when Ely was established as a Village in 1888. By 1910 he had returned to Wisconsin with his family and appears in the 1910 census there. In 1905, Mr. Anderson sold the building to the Berglund Brothers – Olaf, Andrew, John, and Oscar Berglund. The brothers were immigrants from Sweden. They operated the general merchandise business on the site for over twenty-five years until they closed during the difficult business environment of the 1930s. Olaf was the first of the brothers to arrive in the US in 1888 when he was just 21. Twelve years later, in 1900 he was single, owned his own home and was operating a business in Ely. Olaf married his wife Augusta in 1903 and they had four children. Oscar, the much younger brother, arrived soon after Olaf in 1898. He initially joined in the business but left sometime before 1930. He eventually worked for the school district as a ground’s keeper.  Oscar married his wife Ida in 1911 and they had two children.John W., Oscar’s twin brother, came later, about the time the store on Chapman Street was purchased in 1905. He was 28 at the time. Seventeen years later, in 1922 he married his wife, Katherine. They had one son, Raymond. After the business closed John took jobs as a fireman, barber, and janitor.  The fourth and oldest of the brothers, Andrew also came later in 1905 with his wife, May, and three children and joined Olaf in the business. Andrew and May had two more children in Ely.  Andrew, who was 63 in 1930, appears to have retired when the store closed.The 1930s were difficult for many businesses. The Berglund Brothers’ dream ended after twenty-five years of hard but honest work by the brothers. They all lived long lives into their 70s and beyond.In the 1930s, after the Berglund’s store closed Charles Merhar, Louis Champa and Peter Kayute moved their hardware business from Sheridan Street (at the current Dee’s Bar location) to this site. Charles and Louis were both born in Yugoslavia in the 1880’s. Pete Kayute was a Minnesota native of Finnish descent. These three men ran the business until they retired during the 1960s.  At that time Charles’ son, Charles L (Charlie) Merhar, assumed the ownership of the business.   Charlie and his wife Katherine ran the store until their son, Charles John (Cherla) became president of the corporation in 1981. During their tenure, they bought the neighboring lots to expand the building and provide additional parking. Today, Cherla’s sons, Mark and Chris (great grandsons of one of the founders), operate the store and an associated plumbing business. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1890 – John Anderson builds the building and opens the Big Store1890 – Anderson takes on a partner, Otto G. Korb1905-1930s – Berglund Brothers operate a grocery and later dry goods store1930s – Merhar, Champa and Kayute move their hardware business to this location1960s – Charlie and Katherine take over operations1981 – Charles John (Cherla) becomes president of the corporationToday, great grandson’s Mark and Christopher operate the store and an associated plumbing business

According to the Ely Times (December 26, 1890), the ACE Hardware building is the oldest brick building in Ely. It was built by John Anderson, initially the Postmaster in Tower, who walked to Ely before the railroad was brought in. He opened the building as a general merchandise store, calling it The Big Store. Shortly after, he took on a partner, Otto G. Korb and the business became Anderson and Korb. The building has continued as a retail establishment to this day. Read further to discover the owners and businesses and their stories.

Merhar's ACE Hardware

Emil Ahola was born in Finland in 1880 and came to this country in 1899. In 1901 he sent for his wife Mary to join him in America.  Emil initially worked in the mines and later as a plumber for the city. In 1915, he built the building you see here today.In 1922, the Steam Bath (or sauna) was open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 6:00 to 11:00 and on Saturdays, noon to 12:00.  Emil and Mary lived on Conan Street near the bath house.The Ahola family continued to run the sauna for over 80 years, first by Emil’s son, Toimi, and later by his grandson, Dick.  Toimi also ran the Ford Garage on Conan Street, and the Ahola Apartments on Camp Street. Toimi served as a St Louis County Commissioner for 23 years.  Dick, the last Ahola to manage the sauna, worked for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.  Dick died in 2001, leaving the sauna without a caretaker. Then in 2002 the business was purchased by Rick and Nancy Petrzilka. The Petrzilkas have updated many of the rooms, but they still offer separate rooms for men (the bullpen) and women and private rooms for couples or families.The process to take a traditional sauna, involves several steps. First the sauna taker, undresses, although a towel or even swimwear may be used for modesty.  Then he or she fills a bucket with temperate water, finds a place in the sweltering steam room on the long benches and builds the steam by tossing water on the heat source. The body is scrubbed with soap and water, and cedar switches can be used to whip one’s body to encourage perspiration.  The idea is to become very relaxed and very warm. The final steps involve rinsing first in temperate water and then in cool water, to close the pores. If the sauna is near a lake, one can take a refreshing dip and feel the velvet water of northern Minnesota while watching the summer night sky overhead.As any Finn can tell you, and more recently they have been supported by emerging evidence in several medical studies, saunas can improve health by reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure and stroke, and may also have benefits in treating non-vascular diseases such as the common flu, headaches, and skin conditions.But in Ely’s history, the public steam bath was more than a tradition or health activity. It was a necessity for the early settlers who did not all have bathrooms indoors. Even those who lived in the city.When the Finnish homesteaders came in the rural areas, the first building they built was the sauna. It was used to cook in, wash in and sleep in, until other buildings could be raisedToday the Ely Sauna is used by many families of Finnish descent, as well as others who just enjoy the camaraderie of a group bath.  Many of the hearty outdoors people who come through Ely stop by as a time-honored tradition following an extended workout, canoeing in the wilderness. It is a popular stop for local college students as well.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1915 – Emil builds the Ely Steam Bath building1963 – Toimi dies, 1964 his father Emil dies,1963 – Dick runs the business until 20012002 – The Petrzilka buy the business

This building was constructed by Emil Ahola in 1915 (about). He poured the concrete foundation and the 8x16” cement blocks himself.  He designed a hot water heating system originally fueled by wood, later converted to coal and then to oil. The Steam Bath business stayed in the Ahola family for 87 years. In 2002, the Petrzilkas bought the business, continuing this important community service to this day. For more information on the Ahola family and the Ely Steambath, continue reading below.

Ely Steam Bath

The Ely Community Center was one of the WPA era building projects. It was approved in 1935 and completed in February 1938 at a construction cost of $208,748 and a project cost of $229,416. It was funded by a city bond and a grant from the Public Works Administration. It is a period piece that could not be duplicated today. But the numbers alone do not reflect what this building meant to the community. The people of Ely suffered during the Great Depression, but this building, like many other WPA era projects, offered hope. Its construction meant that a prosperous future was possible. It meant jobs and the survival of their city and their way of life. The Ely Community Center was important not just as a structure but as a belief in the American Dream when that dream was threatened.  A resident who attended the opening stated, “You have no idea what this building meant. The people of Ely were so proud.” The building was designed by William M. Ingemann, a nationally recognized and prominent Minnesota architect.  The building has architectural standing. It is referenced in both the Berkley Living New Deal website and in the guide to Architecture in Minnesota. The design is Streamline or Art Moderne. It is faced with Mankato fabricated greystone with bas relief carvings ornamenting the lower walls. The entrances are enhanced by metal decoration highlighting the building’s use. Large glass block windows are historic to the period. The building housed a cafeteria in the lower level, library and office space on the main level and a massive open auditorium on the upper level. It has a total square footage of 28,834.The main entrance opens to a wide marble staircase, allowing access to the first and second levels and basement below. The central lobby on the main floor is faced with Montana Travertine Marble, oak display cases and a gold leaf ceiling. The original library space features quarter-sawn white oak paneling and a fireplace made of rose, tan, and brown Minnesota Kasota Stone. A Carl Gawboy mural covers the upper walls of an anteroom on the South Side of the entrance. A photograph of that mural can be seen today in the reading room at the Minnesota North College Campus.  The marble stairs and decorative brass stair rail lead up to the second-floor lobby. A fine brass clock decorates the lobby area as well as period light fixtures.  The lobby leads to the large auditorium decorated with subtle geometric trim and an acoustic ceiling. The roof over the auditorium is spanned with steel trusses, purlins and decking allowing for a stunning large open space without the interruption of support columns. The floor is oak block set in asphalt.  There is a stage at the north end of the auditorium with lights, stage curtains and a connecting green room. For 75 years the Ely Community Center was central to the lives of the citizens of Ely.  It housed evening classes for children and teenagers and club meetings for adults. There were weddings, and dances, and dinners, and art fairs and fundraisers.  In November 2014, the building was closed to the public. Most recently, the building has been purchased by a developer, who will bring new life to this architectural jewel.  ____________________________________________________________1938 – the construction of the Ely Community Center is completedNovember 2014 – the Ely Community Center is closed to the public2022 – the Ely Community Center was purchased by a private developer

This Grande Dame of Ely’s Downtown is now closed to the public. Its marble stairs and terrazzo floors feel no footsteps. Its marble walls carry no posters of upcoming events. Its fabulous auditorium is silent. After 75 years of service, the Ely Community Center was closed on November 14, 2014, when its last tenant, the Ely Public Library, moved to a new space on Chapman Street.  In 2016, the Community Center was added to the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of its history and striking architecture. In 2022, it was purchased by a developer, who will bring a new purpose and a new life to this jewel. The community now awaits the re-opening of this amazing building.

Ely Community Center

In 1907, two of Ely’s young banks, the Exchange Bank of Ely (established in 1888) and the First Private Bank – Bank of Ely (established in 1902), merged to become the First National Bank of Ely located at this site.  Joseph Sellwood, a founder of the Exchange Bank (1888), became First National’s president. Joseph Sellwood had an amazing career which started in Cornwall England. He was born December 5, 1846 and was working in the tin mines when he was just nine years old. When he was 19 (about) he emigrated to the United States, first to New Jersey, then to Michigan. In 1885 he opened mines in the Michigan Gogebic Range and in 1888, he opened the Chandler Mine in Ely. He gained a reputation of running mines efficiently and was sought after for management positions. After working for the large mining companies, in 1901 he struck out on his own, investing in developing mines. Additionally, he was involved in the auxiliary businesses needed to make the mines successful. Besides owning interest in twelve mines, he was the president of banks in Duluth, Ely, Two Harbors and Bessemer, Michigan. He also acted as vice-president of the Duluth &amp; Iron Range Railway. It was said that Mr. Sellwood ‘combined a strong personality with a cheerful disposition and a kindly nature that brought to him a large circle of friends.’  Richard M. Sellwood, probably the son to Joseph, became the second president of the bank, followed by George Somero, an Ely native.  In April 1968 the bank was purchased by the Norwest Bank Corporation and became the First Northwestern National Bank of Ely.   Thirty years later, the bank merged with Well Fargo and on June 24, 2000, the First Northwestern National Bank was renamed Wells Fargo amid much fanfare including the presence of an actual stagecoach in the parking lot. The building you see today was built in 1913. A $20,000 addition was added in 1938, followed by other additions and remodels through the years.   ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1889 – Bank of Ely (later the Exchange Bank) is established – Joseph Sellwood and O.D. Kinney1902 – The First Private Bank – Bank of Ely is established – Davidson and McRae1907 – the two banks merge creating the First National Bank of Ely – Joseph Sellwood PresidentRichard M. Sellwood becomes PresidentGeorge Somero becomes President1968 – Norwest Purchases the Bank – Joe Pellikka President1981 – Joe Kostelic becomes PresidentBill Carlson becomes PresidentIn 1994 (about) – Carol Ranta becomes PresidentNovember 2, 1998 – Norwest and Wells Fargo mergeJune 24, 2000 – the bank is renamed as Wells FargoOther managers follow

Unlike so many other buildings in Ely, this building has had only one purpose in its entire history. It was built in 1913 to be a bank and it has always been a bank. It has no secret history of other activities. Initially, however, it was less than half the size it is today. Need for space drove several additions, but the building always retained its historic look. Be sure to see the photos (below) of this building when it was less than half the size it is today.

Wells Fargo Bank

Abijah James was born in Pennsylvania in 1858, the seventh of ten children.  In 1880, he was working on his brother’s farm in Pennsylvania.   But he must have craved adventure because he left Pennsylvania and headed west. In 1887, Abijah took the train from Duluth to Tower and then walked the 22 miles on an Indian trail to the fledgling mining camp that is now Ely. Upon his arrival, Abijah was diagnosed with typhoid fever. During this significant illness, Abijah was befriended by the local mining company doctor, Charles Shipman.  This friendship developed into a business partnership. Together they started the James Drug Store, initially in the lobby of a local hotel. On August 28, 1888, James Drug was opened on this site, occupying the west side of the building. Dr. Shipman had his infirmary on the second floor. Within a year Abijah returned to Pennsylvania, married his sweetheart, Francis Raub, and brought her back to Minnesota. Abijah and Francis had one son, David ‘Raub’ James, born on January 8, 1894.People still remember the James Family and one of the more popular stories about Abijah follows:              Abijah was a thin man and at some point, made an effort to gain weight. He consulted his friend Dr. Shipman, who recommended he try beer to facilitate the weight gain. Abijah bought a case of beer and after a month, went back to Dr. Shipman and told him that the beer wasn’t working. Dr. Shipman asked him how much he was drinking and Abijah said he took a tablespoon every day.In 1916 Abijah died unexpectedly during a buying trip to Chicago. His son Raub, who was just 22 at the time but educated as a pharmacist, took over the drugstore business.  In 1940, when Raub was 46, he also experienced an unfortunate accident while traveling – this time in Florida, where he had gone for his health.  Both his mother, Francis, and long-time friend and spinster schoolteacher, Elaine Fenske, rushed to Miami to nurse him back to health. On April 22, 1940, Elaine and Raub married in Miami Florida at the First Presbyterian Church of Miami. In 1944, just four years later, Raub died, leaving, Elaine to run the business with the help of assistant pharmacist Elmer Kero. The building experienced a significant fire in 1947 incurring damages of $75,000 to $100,000. Elaine repaired the building and maintained the business until her passing in 1955.Pharmacist George Berttula bought the business and the building in 1959 from the James Estate. In 1967 he hired Lee Schumacher and expanded the drug store to include the east side of the building.  In 1977, Lee bought the business from George and ran it until 1999, when the James Drug Store closed its doors for the last time.  While the drugstore business flourished on the first floor for over 100 years, the upper floors were always busy with offices and shops – beauty shops, real estate, dental, and law offices.The building rested for a while, under the ownership of Ken and Keith Abney. Most recently, the Ott Family (Alley A Realty) renovated the building, and on June 5, 2018, the popular ‘Potluck’ kitchenware and gift shop opened on the main floor. Offices again fill the second level. Stop by to see ‘Potluck’s’ unique kitchen gadgets, distinctive gifts and fun antiques. If you have more time, take a break at the small park next door, Chapman Street Commons.  ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1888 – James Drug opens in this building1916 – Abijah James dies in Chicago; son Raub manages the business1940 – Raub James and Elaine Fenske marry in Miami1944 – Raub dies unexpectedly in New York; Elaine manages the business1947 – the building burns; Elaine repairs it1955 – Elaine passes1959 – George Bertala buys the business from the James Estate1977 – Lee Schumacher buys the business1999 – James Drug Closes after 111 years in business2008 – The Abney brothers buy the building but do not run a business here2015 – The John Ott Family (Alley A Realty) buys the building and begins renovationsJune 5, 2018 – Potluck opens for business

The James Drug building is one of Ely’s earliest structures.  It was built by Abijah James in 1888 and provided a venue for the sale of medicines and medical supplies for over 100 years. While the drug store business flourished on the main floor, the second floor was filled with offices and small businesses. In 1999 James Drug closed and the building was left vacant. Fifteen years later the Ott Family (Alley A Realty) purchased the building and completed a stellar renovation. It is now a kitchenware and gift shop, called Potluck, with offices in the back and once again on the second floor.

James Drug West

BackstoryIn 1913 the Federal Post Office moved their offices to this side of the building. The following excerpt from the March 21, 1913, Ely Miner Newspaper describes the move and some of the challenges a postmaster faced in Ely’s early days…. The Ely Post Office which had been in the old location for fourteen years was moved Saturday night and Sunday to the rooms next to the drug store….. The Postmaster has gone to considerable expense in the new quarters, and he hopes the patrons will do all in their power to keep the place sanitary and in shape. Contrary to the general opinion, the post office is not a loafing place for tobacco chewing and smoking he-gossips and loafing and spitting on the floor must be stopped.  Neither are the fixtures or walls for the posting of advertising matter….. The office forces will do all in their power to give good service but let it be understood right now, impositions will not be tolerated…..The Post Office remained in this location until the U.S. Treasury Department built the new Federal Building on Second Avenue in 1938. The next known business in this location was Agnew’s Variety Store, followed in 1940 by Tauzel’s Department Store. Ivan Tauzel, the Department Store proprietor incurred smoke and water damage during the 1947 building fire. As is often the case with tragedy, some good did result. Mr. Tauzel was able to run profitable ‘fire’ sales for quite a while after the event.In 1964, the Mr. Tauzel closed his business.In 1967, George Berttula, the druggist and business owner, opened the wall between the buildings and expanded the drug store. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1888 – James Drug opens on the west side; the east side is vacant1913 – The U.S. Post Office is located in the east side of the building 1938 – The Post Office moves to Second Avenue1938 (about) – Agnews Department Store1940 – Ivan Tauzel moves his clothing business into the building1947 – The building burns; Elaine James repairs it1959 – George Bertala buys the building and business from the James Estate1964 – Ivan Tauzel closes his business1967 – George Bertala expands the drug store (west-side) to include the east side of the building1977 – Lee Schumacher buys the business1999 – James Drug closes after 111 years of business2008 – the Abney brothers buy the building but do not run a business here2015 – The John Ott Family buys the building and begins renovationsJune 5th, 2018 – Potluck opens to the public

The James Drug building is one of Ely’s earliest structures.  It was built by Abijah James in 1888 to house his medicinal drug business (see the history of James Drug West). Abijah ran the drug store on the west side and rented this side to other businesses until 1967 when the drug store expanded to include both sides of the building.  Initially, this side of the building appears to have been vacant. By 1913 it housed the Federal Post Office and from 1938 on, it was occupied by various retail shops. Read interesting details of this building’s history below.

James Drug East

Mr. Schaefer came to the Iron Range in 1888 initially working for The Vermilion Iron Journal in Tower. In 1890 he moved to Ely to run The Journal’s sister paper, The Iron Home. When the competing Ely Times bought The Iron Home, Mr. Schaefer left Ely for a time before returning in 1895 to establish the Ely Miner. Controversy sold papers then, as it does today. In 1898, George Westcott, editor of The Ely Times, brought an injunction against Schaefer to prevent The Miner from getting the city printing contract. His argument was that Mr. Schaefer, who was also the Ely City Clerk, could not receive the contract due to a conflict of interest. Judge Ensign ruled in favor of Westcott, but the Times’ success was short-lived. The paper folded soon after in 1902, while The Ely Miner continued publication for another 88 years, providing the city with printing services during most of those years.   During his career, Mr. Schaefer was active in the community serving in city, county, and federal positions, as well as many civic organizations. He was said to “always place the interests of Ely foremost.” Mr. Schaefer died in 1944 while still active in the business.  Fred Childers, a nephew through marriage, worked at The Miner in 1947. On 6/25/1953 he became the owner-publisher. Fred ran the business until his death in 1972 when his wife, Columbia Paris Childers, took over operations until June 9, 1986, when the paper ceased publication.  The paper provided news for the Ely community for ninety-one years.In the early 1990’s the Northwood’s Food Cooperative was located here. And in the late 1990’s, three local businesswomen started a gift shop in the building called the Basketry. In 2006, the building opened as the Art House.In 2011, the current owners, John Bowe and Rosemary Shepherd bought the building to display their stunning stained glass and wood working art at this location. Their business is known as Kekekabic Studios.The word Kekekabic is derived from Ojibwe word meaning “a hawk’s nest high on the rocks”. There is a Kekekabic Lake and a Kekekabic Hiking Trail in the BWCA. And now a Kekekabic Studio on Chapman Street.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1895 –Peter Schaefer establishes The Ely Miner Newspaper at this site1944 – Peter Schaefer dies; the Williams Publications operates The Ely Miner1947 – Fred Childers works for Williams Publications as a reporter6-25-1953 – Fred Childers buys The Ely Miner1972 – Columbia Childers runs the paper1986 – The Ely Miner ceases publication1992 (about) – Northwood’s Food Coop1997 (about) – The Basketry2006 – The Art House2011 – Kekekabic Studios – John Bowe and Rosemary Shepherd

In 1900, this was an empty lot but by 1907 Peter Schaefer, editor and publisher of a local newspaper, The Ely Miner, moved his business from the north side of Chapman Street (across the street) to this location where it remained for over eight decades. Later, the building was active as a food co-op, and then as a gift shop.  More recently, in 2011, the current owners, John Bowe and Rosemary Shepherd bought the building to display their stunning stained glass and wood working art at this location. Their business is known as Kekekabic Studios. For more information, read below.

Kekekabic Studios

These two industrious businesswomen were born in Ely in the early 1900’s to the family of Francis and Anton Seliskar. The family was large and while many of the children were still young and living at home, Anton returned to Yugoslavia, ostensibly to visit relatives. However, he does not appear to have ever returned. By 1930 Anton’s wife, Francis, lists herself as divorced and she is living with Tina and Alice on Chapman Street. The daughters have become beauty operators and support themselves and their mother through the Great Depression.In 1941, the sisters built the Deco structure at 130 East Chapman.  Tina appears to have married in 1945, but few remember it anymore, or even ever knew about it. After a short-lived honeymoon period her husband moved to Alaska, and little was said after that.The ladies were serious about their profession. They stood by the belief (common at the time) that a woman needed to ‘suffer to be beautiful’. Consequently, there was no hesitation to use smelly toxic chemicals or frightening metal torture devices to achieve the desired results.  And quality was assured. A permanent given by the Seliskar Sisters could last a year.Over time, the Seliskar sisters maintained a repertoire of hair styles that covered their history. As late as the mid-1970s a patron could still get a 1920s marcel wave, a 1930s shingle bob, a 1940s victory curl, or a 1950s pixie cut. And as the salon’s clientele aged, the sisters became experts in ‘bluing’, a popular technique to brighten graying coiffures. The women closed their business in the mid-1970s, but continued to live upstairs until retiring to the nursing home in the 1990s.In 1995, Mailbox Etc opened here, followed in 1999 by Range Lock and Alarm, then Radio Shack and Erik Ludvigs Lock and Gun Shop.   The building rested for a time until 2015, when Jay Poshak bought the building to expand his hardware, rental and general merchandise business located next door.––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––1900 – empty lot1941 – The Seliskar Sisters built the building for their beauty shop business1995 – Mailbox ETC1999 – Range Lock and Alarm2000 - Radio Shack20?? – Erik Ludvigs Lock and Gun Shop2015 – J&amp;L Hardware and Ben Franklin Store, Jay Poshak proprietor

During Ely’s early history, this location remained an empty lot as businesses grew up to the west of it and houses to the east. In 1941, the building you see today was built on this location by sisters Christina (Tina) and Alice Seliskar. The sisters had been running their beauty salon across the street at 141 East Chapman for more than a decade when they decided to construct a building to specifically meet the needs of a beauty shop business.  Their grand opening was held on October 9, 1941. The sisters ran their business here for over 30 years and lived in the apartment upstairs even longer. For more information on these early businesswomen and the history of their building, read further.

Ely Minnesota Downtown Walking Tour Introduction

Ely Downtown Walking Tour Introduction

Introduction

Images

Sources