Gladstone in Delta County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
913-915 Delta Avenue
| | City of Gladstone Historic Tour | |
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 9, 2025
1. 913-915 Delta Avenue Marker
The Swenson Brothers Furniture and Undertaking Business was first established at the corner of 9th Street and Superior Avenue. The Swenson's arrived in Gladstone prior to the layout of the town. In 1900 they built this new store on Delta Avenue. Claus, John and Casper Swenson had immigrated from Fristad Sweden and settled in the Dakota's before coming to Gladstone. Both the furniture and undertaking businesses were the first in the New City. Claus ran the store; John made the deliveries and Caspar kept the books.
When Claus passed away in 1925, the business was transferred to his two sons, Arthur and Nobel. In 1943 the undertaking business was sold to Gordon Kelly who opened Kelly Funeral Home at 903 Wisconsin. After Arthur died in 1964, his son William became a partner with Nobel.
On August 3rd, 1966, there was a massive fire that destroyed the building. Due to the heroic efforts of the firemen and bystanders a great amount of furniture was saved. A Mayflower truck driver single-handedly removed the safe with all the company records. They rented the building at 920 Delta Avenue and re-opened the business within two days. In 1969 the Swenson's purchased the Rialto Building and continued the furniture business for a total of 93 years. Upon retirement the business was sold to Eugene Royer.
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 45° 50.836′ N, 87° 1.294′ W. Marker is in Gladstone, Michigan, in Delta County. It is on Delta Avenue west of 9th Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 917 Delta Ave, 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: 911 Delta Avenue (a few steps from this marker); 920 Delta Ave. (within shouting distance of this marker); 910 Delta Ave. (within shouting distance of this marker); 909 Delta Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); 908 Delta Ave. (within shouting distance of this marker); 906 Delta Ave. (within shouting distance of this marker); 1001 Delta Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); 902-904 Delta Ave. (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gladstone.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 9, 2025
2. 913-915 Delta Avenue Marker
This marker is the one on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 56 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 7, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
