plhs.user, Author at Pequot Lakes Historical Society

Arvig Telephone

by plhs.user | Mar 8, 2025 | Photos

Arvig Display

A picture of the Arvig Diplay at the museum.

Arvig Display – Early History

A brief history of the Company

Arvig Disply Phone Books

Phone books from past years in the Arvig system.

Arvig Display – Ad

An Arvig Advertisment

Arvig Display – Push Button Phone

A desk model phone from the 60’s and 70’s with push buttons.

Arvig Display Switchboard Plugs and Note

A picture of the plugs for connecting parties on the phone system.

Arvig Display – Hand Held Phone

An early phone with the headset and the microphone separate.

Arvig Display Early Telephone Complete

Here the phone is separate from the ringer.

Arvig Display Early Telephone

Arvig Display Early Telepone Handset

Close up of the phone which was separate from the ringer.

This section is dedicated to the Arvig Telephone Company of Pequot Lakes Minnesota. It was responsible for bringing the modern convenience of telephone communication to our area and is an important part of the history of our city. The company not only provided service to our community, but was also a generous donor to the projects and efforts that made our lives richer and fuller in the north country. There will be additional posts to this site about the past of this vital company.

Peoria Store in Ideal Township

by plhs.user | Mar 4, 2025 | Photos

Peqoria Store 1957

Peoria Store in Ideal Township. Picture was taken in 1957

Thank you to Mary Riley for providing this photo of the Peoria Store from 1957. Standing in front of the store is Ed and Agnes Montour. The lady on the right is unknown. Montours operated the store until 1975. Mary has memories of the store from her childhood. Mary thought that they also operated a marina, but could not remember the name. That information would be deeply appreciated if anyone knows it.

Government Drive Aerial Picture August 1939

by plhs.user | Mar 4, 2025 | Photos

Government Drive 1939

Government Drive as it appeared in a photo from August of 1939

Government Drive 1939, back of post card

Back of Post Card

A photo of what today is Government Drive in downtown Pequot Lakes. The picture was taken in 1939 and the back of the photo contains information about the buildings and businesses.

A.L. Cole Building and General Store

by plhs.user | Mar 2, 2025 | Photos

A.L. Cole Building 1910

A.L. Cole Building and General Store.

A.L. Cole Building next to Tanzer

A.L. Cole Building

A.L Cole Building

A.L. Cole Building Front Street

A.L. Cole Building seen along Front Street

This is a picture of the A.L. Cole Co. building circa 1910. If was referred to as the “Big Store”. They carried a wide line of merchandise. It was a very successful business. An ad, featured on December 29th, 1916, advertises that they have a vacuum cleaner that can be operated out of a light socket. It rented for 15 cents an hour and the ad said “No use to wait until spring to brighten up your house.” In 1914 the store was wired for electricity.

A.L. Cole was one of the first businessmen in Pequot Lakes. He built this store in 1896. It was considered the first store in town and brought modern conveniences to our area. It was built approximately in the same general area as the Cole Memorial Building. It burned in 1919 and during its existence it even served as a location of Sibley School #3 in 1898. A.L. Cole’s children went to the school. The property was later donated to the city by his daughter and in 1937 the Cole Memorial building was built and dedicated in his name. We are unsure of what became of A.L. Cole or what year he passed. However, his name is still a part of our current history.

Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo Dudgeon

by plhs.user | Mar 25, 2024 | Photos

Two early settlers in the Pequot Lakes Area. At the posting of this picture, no information is known on where they lived or when they were here. It is suspected that this picture was taken circa 1890’s. If you have any information on this family, we welcome you to email us.

Lorenzo Dudgeon Early Residents

Circa 1890, Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo Dudgeon who were early residents of the Pequot Lakes area.