Not that many years ago there were eight car dealerships in Ely.
One of the oldest ones was on South Central Avenue - Vic Thompson’s Hudson dealership. It was not there as a dealership for very long, and Vic then sold ice and beer from that same building.
Jacob Pete built the brick building most recently occupied by Legacy Toys. Pete’s garage sold Dodge and Plymouth automobiles. Later the building would be the home for James Motors, owned by the Weinzierls.
Central Garage was operated for many years under the ownership of John Koschak. He sold Buicks, Pontiacs and GMC trucks. The building is still there but is operated as an outlet store for the Piragis compound.
The iconic Forest Chevrolet building on Sheridan Street was the showroom for Chevrolet and Oldsmobiles. KJ’s True Value is now located there.
The Ford garage on Conan Street was built by Emil Ahola using bricks salvaged from the St. Croix mill in Winton. It was the place where one went to buy a Ford, Mercury, or a Continental. The building is now in a state of advanced disrepair and is about to be torn down. It is destined to be a parking area for the new hotel being opened in the former Community Center building.
Roy Backstrom sold Studebakers from the building next to the Ford garage. Fords were also sold in the Rothman garage. Mike Motors, on the east end of town, sold Studebakers, Dodges, and Plymouths. This building is now operated by Dan Ojala as Dan’s Garage.
And where Spirit of the Wilderness is located was the home of Grahek and then Coombe Ford.
To buy a new car now one has to head to Virginia or Duluth.
Occasionally, someone will ask me where I find the topics for my articles. Here, there, and everywhere. Occasionally, someone will suggest something to me. Occasionally, I redo one I have done in the past. (I have been doing bimonthly articles for 26 years.)
Recently, I have been hospitalized for an extended time so I am out of sync this time. But I will try to get back on schedule.
Look for a display of pictures in the lobby near the Ely-Winton Historical Society office in the fine arts lobby at the college (Minnesota North - Vermilion Campus).
We have more than 22,000 digitized Ely pictures on file that I rely on. Sally Koski takes other pictures that I need (such as the former car dealerships). Margaret Sweet edits my articles.
You can call the office at 218-3653226 or email us at [email protected]
