Jacobson Hardware occupied the main floor of the Jacobson Building on Main Street and Central Avenue. The Opera House was on part of the second and all of the third floor. Martin Jacobson, Known as “the Hardware Man”, started the hardware store after becoming a successful rancher near Des Lacs. In 1898, Peter Fugelso became the bookkeeper of the hardware store until 1901 when he resigned to become the Postmaster. He later resigned as postmaster to join with Martin’s nephew, Doc Jacobson, to purchase the hardware store on January 1, 1907. The business was destroyed by fire in 1923. The building was rebuilt . The Jacobson – Fugelso Hardware store eventually moved to the middle of the block just east of the alley on Central Avenue and survived for many years. Jacobson – Fugelso carried a full line of hardware in addition to Schwin Bicycles, Toro Mowers, Delta Power Tools and Benjamin Moore Paint.
I remember the hardware store when it was on Central Avenue. Fascinating place for a kid to wander through - almost as good as Woolworth's and Kresge's!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your blog!