909 Delta Avenue

909 Delta Avenue. . , This building suffered a great deal of damage due to the historic downtown fire in 1966 that destroyed Swenson Brothers Furniture Store and Wally's Bar. , , Built in 1901 by Charles Erickson who came to Gladstone when he was 31 years old. Born in Delarna Sweden he learned the Jewelry trade at an early age. Watch and clock repair were his specialty. He married Maria in 1906, and they made their home above the store. , , In 1924, the Western Union Telegraph Company arrange [sic] and installed 10 United States Naval Observatory Clocks in Gladstone. You can see the clock above the door. , , Mr. Erickson operated the store for 46 years and then sold it in 1950. He passed away in 1951. , , Albert Mortier purchased the business after working 3 ½ years for Feldstein's Jewlers [sic] in Escanaba. Mr. Mortier was born and raised in Norway Michigan; he served three years in the Military during world war two. He came to Gladstone at the age of 34 years. , , He belonged to the Bay de Noc Beagle Club. Served as President of the Rifle and Pistol CLub and belonged to The Lions. He was very active in the community, serving on several committees for the Gladstone Chamber of Commerce. , , Mr. Mortier operated the jewelry store for 17 years. He, his wife and two children lived upstairs in the building. After the fire, the building was dismantled, and the lot remained vacant.