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.