Gladstone in Delta County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
901 Delta Ave.
| | City of Gladstone Historic Tour | |
Photographed by Bob Cook, September 28, 2025
1. 901 Delta Avenue Marker
One of the older buildings in the city was one of the first Saloons. Soren Johnson born in Nordland Norway in 1867, made his way to Gladstone in 1890. He opened a "Sample Room" at 729 Delta Ave, then moved to this location. As one of the first residents in the new city, he was active on the County Board of Supervisors and served as a County Road Commissioner when the roads were first being built. Mr. Johnson married Emely Nelson from Sweden in 1893, and she passed away in 1903. He then married Mary Marie Benchek Sorenson and they raised their family on Lake Shore Drive.
He was successful in the Saloon business until prohibition when most of the Saloons closed or became Soft Drink Parlors. He had a license to sell soft drinks but quietly continued in the liquor business. He. like other Saloon owners: paid the price. He sold the building in 1924 to Cyriel Rossen and opened the Johnson Oil Company on Central Ave. {aka 10th st.}
In 1951 Leo Rouman moved his Candy Kitchen from 821 Delta Ave to this location. When Mr. Rouman passed away in 1963, John and Evelyn Semer opened the Gift Nook.
In 1967, this building as well
this page online
Erected by Gladstone Historical Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Norwegian-Americans series list.
Location. 45° 50.845′ N, 87° 1.246′ W. Marker is in Gladstone, Michigan, in Delta County. It is at the intersection of Delta Avenue and South 9th Street, on the right when traveling east on Delta Avenue. In front of Main Street Pizza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 901 Delta Avenue, Gladstone MI 49837, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest
Photographed by Bob Cook, September 28, 2025
2. 901 Delta Avenue Marker site, Main Street Pizza
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 902-904 Delta Ave. (a few steps from this marker); 909 Delta Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); 908 Delta Ave. (within shouting distance of this marker); 823 Delta Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); 906 Delta Ave. (within shouting distance of this marker); 824 Delta Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); 821 Delta Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); 910 Delta Ave. (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gladstone.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2025, by Bob Cook of Chicago, Illinois. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2025, by Bob Cook of Chicago, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
