“Ely has changed.”
I hear that several times a season, especially from old friends reminding me that, while my memory may be fairly good, it’s probably filtered. Guilty.
In one way the changes are seldom mentioned and maybe never noticed. Allow me.
But first a couple of obvious changes from then to now that everyone notices but deserve mention; THEN: Ely was a one party town Democrat. In those days the Republican party could hold its city rally in a phone booth.
NOW: Ely is a three-party town. Blue Collar Democrats, Green Democrats, and some Republicans.
THEN: Graduating classes of over 100 students.
NOW: There are about 100 students total in the three grades of Memorial High.
THEN: Mining, Logging, and Tourism were the three job creators in that order.
NOW: Mining and Logging are gone.
THEN: There were five auto dealers in town. Pete’s Garage, Mike Motors, Forest Chevrolet, Central Garage, and Ahola, Grahek, Coombe Ford.
NOW: none
And that got me noticing something. Three of the five dealers were named after the proprietor. And I realized that was true for many Ely businesses in the old days.
Gas Stations: Shorty’s, Rothman’s, Lahti-Kleemala-Ellis-Colombo Standard, Stenlunds, Charlie’s, Slogar’s Jewelers: Kangas, Stember, Martin and Nikkonen Restaurants: Freddy’s Lunch, Vertins Cafe, Elna’s Supper Club, Edna’s Cafe, Peshel’s Milk Bar Bars: Maki’s, Oja’s, Dee’s, George’s, Forsman’s, Phil’s Cap and Tap, Jakich’s, Mavetz’s, John’s, Zaverl’s Liquor Stores: Mike’s, Kat’s, Moot’s, Galpins, Logars, Strukels Groceries: Zup’s, Joe’s IGA, Klun’s, Lozar’s, Seme’s, Evelyn’s, Skala’s, Bernie’s, Smrekar’s Women’s Clothing: Marguerite’s, Vickies, Palcher’s, Nannie’s Men’s Clothing: Maki, Murphy, Tauzell, Mills Other businesses: Lynn Hardware, Veranth Lumber, Henry’s Repair, Bill Rom’s Canoe Country Outfitters, Canadian Waters, et al.
Certainly it’s not unusual for a business to be named after its proprietor. Makes sense and shows pride in the business. So what happened to the practice? Sure we still have Zup’s, Zaverl’s, Tim’s Auto, and a few others, but the fad these days seems to be to name your business after a structure or a confused mammal.
Such observations are the product of my ever-aging mind.
Thanks to my research committee for contributions to the historic list above. Corrections and additions are welcomed (and probably necessary.)
Doug Luthanen grew up in Ely and graduated from Memorial High School in 1967. He is an occasional contributor to The Ely Echo.
