Gladstone in Delta County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
911 Delta Avenue
| | City of Gladstone Historic Tour | |
Photographed by Bob Cook, September 28, 2025
1. 911 Delta Avenue Marker
He married Linda Olson in 1919 and had two children. He was the first President of the Gladstone City Club that was established in 1927 and belonged to the Gladstone Lodge. He started a small clothing store and operated it for two years. Once this new building was finished, he opened the Smart Wear for Women and eventually added more. In 1926 he opened The Bargain Basement and in 1928 he started a Mens Store across the street at 908 Delta.
In 1930, Mr. Erickson sold the business to Cowell and Burns of Sault St. Marie for two years, then bought it back in 1932. He operated the store continuously until 1940, when he passed away at the age of 44 years.
Frank Schilling Grocery Company of Green Bay purchased the building and converted it to one of the first self serve food stores.
In 1944 Red Owl acquired the property and continued the grocery line until 1963, then moved to Wisconsin and 10th Street.
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
Location. 45° 50.836′ N, 87° 1.284′ W. Marker is in Gladstone, Michigan, in Delta County. It is on Delta Avenue east of 10th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 911 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 Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 913-915 Delta Avenue (a few steps from this marker); 909 Delta Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); 910 Delta Ave. (within shouting distance of this marker); 920 Delta Ave. (within shouting distance of this marker); 908 Delta Ave. (within shouting distance of this marker); 906 Delta Ave. (within shouting distance of this marker); 902-904 Delta Ave. (within shouting distance of this marker); 901 Delta Ave. (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gladstone.
Additional commentary.
1. P.G. Erickson
Though he went by "P.G." or "Gust", his full name was Per Gustav Erickson. Per Gustav Erickson came from the Fryken chain of three lakes in the county of Vδrmland, Sweden, arriving in America in 1887. He moved from Carney to Gladstone in April 1911.
Photographed by Bob Cook, September 28, 2025
2. 911 Delta Avenue Marker site
His son Ewald August Erickson, born in 1894 (born and died in the original Escanaba OSF building), took over the stores after finishing high school. He continued to run several stores until his death in 1940, at the age of 43. His wife Linda continued to run the store at 911 Delta Ave for another 2 years before she sold it.
And, a little fun fact, Ewalds store was one of the first in the city to have a telephone, and the stores telephone number was 10. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor
— Submitted February 23, 2026, by Tom Erickson of Snohomish, Washington.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 9, 2025
3. 911 Delta Avenue Marker
This marker is on the left side.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2025, by Bob Cook of Chicago, Illinois. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2025, by Bob Cook of Chicago, Illinois. 3. submitted on November 7, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
