By KAREN KASPER

Ishpeming Historical Society

There were three major building projects in Ishpeming in 1930, bringing much needed work to those affected by the Depression. Along with the Mather Inn and the high school, the Cohodas Brothers decided to build a large warehouse and cold storage plant in Ishpeming.

The Cohodas Brothers were no strangers to Ishpeming. They operated a retail store at one point, in the Thoney Block, but in 1920 decided to close their retail operations. “Several of the other retail stores operated by the firm have been closed during the past few days and it is the intention of the owners to entirely discontinue the retail business, giving more attention to the wholesale orders.” (Iron Ore, September 4, 1920)

For a time, the company utilized the Carpenter Cook warehouse on Front Street, but eventually the brothers decided to build a larger facility. The best place for the warehouse was already occupied by the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic station. While the boarding platform would stay, “The old passenger station and the present freight station are to be moved, probably several blocks to the east, where it will be possible to render just as efficient service as possible.” (Iron Ore, April 29, 1930)

“Through a transaction completed early this week the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Railway has acquired possession of all of the south half of the block bounded by First, Ely, High and Euclid streets, with frontage on Euclid.” (Iron Ore, May 31, 1930) Temporary track had to be laid to the new site so building materials could be shipped in by rail.

“The Cohodas Brothers had planned on moving their headquarters from Ishpeming to Green Bay, Wis., where they also operate on a large scale, but the decision to build here means that Ishpeming will remain the central point for operations. This city will serve as a distributing point for the copper country, the Gogebic range and the Marquette range.” (Iron Ore, April 29, 1930)

This was good news for Ishpeming, a town where many were out of work or only working a few days a week. In addition to the construction work, there would be additional seasonal work. “With the new storage plant in use, the firm will wash and pack all of the celery which it distributes and will ripen all tomatoes and bananas sold. This will mean the employment of considerable more labor at certain times of the year.” (Iron Ore, April 29, 1930)

By the middle of August, DSS&A had completed their move and was putting in sidings to serve the warehouse. Carl Erickson of Ishpeming won the contract for the construction of the warehouse. There were 18 bidders, including contractors from Duluth, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Chicago, and other large cities, perhaps a sign of just how desperate some firms were for work.

“Within a few minutes after being informed by Mr. Sam Cohodas and Architect D.E. Anderson, of Marquette, that he had been awarded the contract, Mr. Erickson informed (the) Iron Ore that he would commence work next Monday. Alfred Lindberg & Sons will do the excavating for the basement and the foundations and will move a power shovel to the site. Work will continue throughout the winter.” (Iron Ore, September 27, 1930)

Three more contracts were awarded in November. “The Warner Plumbing & Heating company received the contract for the plumbing and Eric Peterson was successful in receiving the heating contract. It was intended to let all of this work under one bid, but these two were so close in their figures that it was deemed advisable to divide the work. Both are Ishpeming firms and they were the lowest among nine bidders.

James Jernstad, another Ishpeming contractor, was the lowest among seven bidders for the electrical installation and was given the contract. He started his men at work on Tuesday morning.

“Carl Erickson, who has the building contract, is making splendid progress with his work, due in a large measure to the favorable weather conditions, and is ahead of schedule. This week he had a night crew employed laying concrete floors, and every advantage has been taken of the weather. The walls are almost completed, nine bricklayers having been employed steadily for two weeks putting them in place.” (Iron Ore, November 22, 1930)

By May, the building was finished. “Thousands of people from this section of the upper peninsula on Wednesday evening inspected the new Cohodas Bros. warehouse and cold storage plant, the largest and most modern in this region, and they marveled at the vastness of the place and the many inventions installed in order to provide them with fruit and vegetables in the best possible condition.

“It would not be an easy matter to estimate the number that passed through the building that night, but there were easily six thousand, many of whom remained to dance to the strains of the Gustafson orchestra.” (Iron Ore, May 2, 1931)

The Cohodas Brothers celebrated the opening in style. “Saturday of this week a special train is to arrive here from Chicago over the North Western line bringing branch managers from Cohodas Bros. plants in Wisconsin, of which there are many, railway officials and many other friends of the firm. This train will consist of three Pullmans, a dining car and two business cars, and the visitors will remain in the city until Sunday evening.

“Saturday evening at the Wawanowin Golf Club, Cohodas Bros. will entertain the visitors, who will number more than 100 and another 100 Marquette county business men at dinner.” (Iron Ore, May 2, 1931)

The Cohodas building still stands in Ishpeming, although it has found new life as the home of Bell Forest Products.

Editor’s note: Karen Kasper is a member of the Ishpeming Historical Society and a volunteer at the Cliffs Shaft Museum.