Artifact Archive

Memories of some early Petersburg businesses and locations have been lost to time. However, our museum files note some early businesses on Main Street and Sing Lee Alley, going back to 1918. Chin Soon -"notorious chop suey and Chinese cook"- owned City Cafe, which became The Alaska Cafe, which became Charlene's Grill when it was sold to Mrs. Carl Welfdt in 1945. Ed Walvick and John Holten's Petersburg Marine Ways advertised repair and caulking of wood boats - up to 100 feet! And M. Missick's "years of experience" in dry cleaning, tailoring and blocking those undoubtedly dandy hats, were notable additions to the local economy. Information and photos for this column are provided by the Clausen Memorial Museum.