Gladstone in Delta County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
11 South 9th Street
| | City of Gladstone Historic Tour | |
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 9, 2025
1. 11 South 9th Street Marker
Kjellander and Sons Blacksmith Shop
The blacksmith shop was always one of the first businesses established in a community.
Swan Kjellander arrived in Gladstone in 1896 and went to work at the Soo Line Dock as a blacksmith. Four years later he opened his own shop and within a few years, his sons William and Bertil joined the business.
Swan was born in Bleking Sweden in 1863, he married Mathilda (Tillie) and had three children. They lived at 812 Minnesota Avenue.
The Kjellander's were masters of the craft of forged pieces of iron and steel, carefully manipulated to produce strong durable tools with a coal fired forge. With the clang of a hammer on an anvil, horseshoes, knives and farm tools were made in the shop. Steel wheels and parts for wagons and buggy repair.
When the automobile became more prevalent the shop converted to a Machine Shop. Kjellander also was a dealer for the Jewett Automobile. In 1922 he added a Taxi Service.
Swan passed away in 1924 and his son, William formed a partnership with John Matson and established a full-service gas station, adding tires and repair as well as a wrecker service.
Erected by Gladstone Historical Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce
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Location. 45° 50.804′ N, 87° 1.21′ W. Marker is in Gladstone, Michigan, in Delta County. It is at the intersection of South 9th Street and Minnesota Avenue, on the left when traveling south on South 9th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 818 Minnesota 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: 911-915 Minnesota Ave. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 821 Delta Avenue (about 300 feet away); 823 Delta Avenue (about 300 feet away); 901 Delta Ave. (about 300 feet away); 817 Delta Avenue (about 300 feet away); 909 Delta Avenue (about 300 feet away); 824 Delta Avenue (about 400 feet away); 822 Delta Avenue (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gladstone.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, October 9, 2025
2. 11 South 9th Street Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 40 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 7, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
