Kekekabic Studios

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.

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.

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1895 –Peter Schaefer establishes The Ely Miner Newspaper at this site

1944 – Peter Schaefer dies; the Williams Publications operates The Ely Miner

1947 – Fred Childers works for Williams Publications as a reporter

6-25-1953 – Fred Childers buys The Ely Miner

1972 – Columbia Childers runs the paper

1986 – The Ely Miner ceases publication

1992 (about) – Northwood’s Food Coop

1997 (about) – The Basketry

2006 – The Art House

2011 – Kekekabic Studios – John Bowe and Rosemary Shepherd

The Sanborn Insurance Maps 1900-1924.

1900 AND 1907 Ely City Directories

Ancestry.com. Accessed April 8th, 2022.

bwcawild.com

“A Brief History of Ely” from Greetings from the Arrowhead: The North Shore and Canoe Country, A Postcard perspective of Historic Northeastern Minnesota

Walter Van Brunt, ed., Duluth and St Louis County Minnesota, Their Story and People (Chicago and New York: The American Historical Society, 1921)

The Duluth Evening Harold, January 21, 1898

Anne Wognum, “Ely Newspapers - A Personal Perspective” in Ely Since 1888 (The Blue Book)

 “Peter Schaefer Taken by Death; Half Century at Helm of Miner Ends” Ely Miner October 26, 1944

Fred Childers buys The Ely Miner, Ely Miner June 25, 1953

 “Fred C. Childers, Editor Succumbs Wednesday” Ely Miner April 27, 1972

Ely Phone Directories from 1949 to 2020 (available at the Ely-Winton Historical Society)