East Side of Main Avenue

East Side of Main Avenue. An Authentic Settlers' Community Celebrating Rural America. , The buildings located on the east side of Main Avenue served mainly in the transportation or hospitality trades. , 1. In 1901, Olaf Anderson built a barn for his livery and horse-drawn dray business. In 1912, he entered into the new world of motorized travel to sell Ford cars, adding the Regal line in 1915, Overland in 1924, and John Deere farm implements in 1926. Olaf's building burned in 1930. , 2. Olaf Anderson and Ole Melby built this garage in 1916, selling Fords and also Maxwell and Chalmers autos. Later, Olaf sold out his business interest. In 1924, Ole Melby helped Martin Melby and Oscar Ongstad launch their auto business here with Martin in sales and Oscar as the mechanic. In 1947, Harley and Lydia Boese renovated this garage to serve as a café and bar with living quarters in the back. Jake and Evelyn Schlenker lived here and ran this business from 1953 until the mid-1970s. , 3. Martin Stuberg opened his barber shop here in 1910. It became the post office in 1915, with Ole Ranum as postmaster, followed by Ernest Braaten (1921) and Jerret Biever (1925-1932 and 1937-1944). Harley and Lydia Boese opened a lunch counter here in 1945. They moved their business next door in 1947 and later relocated this building to their farm north of Manfred. , 4. Nennie and Alpha Johnson built this hotel in 1906. Other hotel owners included Knut Gilbertson, George Gilbertson, and Frank and Gertrude Anderson. Christ Anhorn converted the building to a pool hall, followed by Bert Earl, George Reiter, and Anton Breyer. In 1952, Fagerlund Sons of Norway Lodge purchased the building to use for lodge and community activities until the late 1980s. , 5. Jens Renden built his blacksmith shop here in 1905. He enjoyed a long and successful career. After Jens' retirement in 1943, his building was moved to a farm south of Harvey.