317, 321, & 323 Shelden Avenue

317: This two-story building was built in 1895 for retail purposes. From 1895 to 1953, 317 Shelden Ave. housed several different retail stores selling clothing, shoes, and jewelry under various owners. It became a grocery store in 1953 under the ownership of Joseph Ciucci, who aptly named the store “Ciucci’s Market.” The market operated until 1960 and the building became a U.S. Army recruitment center until 1986. It was a pawn shop in 1988 and began housing the store Cottage Treasures in 1999. Currently, this building is being used for residential purposes.

This structure sits upon a concrete foundation and is supported by a wood frame and wood siding. It is marked by a gabled roof, carved spirals outlining the door, and two stone columns on either side of the front. Additionally, two brick chimneys extend from the roof. The interior features pine trim and wood floorings. These details were expressed in the 1972 Residential Assessment Record, so the tenants since then may have altered these interior features.

321: This gable front building  was originally constructed in 1890 to hold a saloon under a couple different owners. Martin Kratt was in possession of the saloon from 1895 to 1900. In 1900, John Evert took over the saloon. He continued operating it as a saloon until 1919, when Evert turned the building into a soda fountain that remained open until 1927. In 1964, Ray’s TV opened up shop at 321 Shelden Ave. and the building is currently being operated as the store 906 Vapor. The second and third floors of this building serve as apartments.

This three-story building with a glass storefront features a gabled roof and five windows outlining the shape of a pentagon on the exterior. Supporting this structure are a stone foundation and a wood frame. The stone columns and the siding are both painted gray. Inside the building are hardwood floors, plaster, and pine trim.

323: The oldest of the three, this building was constructed in 1883. Like the other two buildings, it has served a variety of retail purposes. It is known to have been a cigar shop in 1893, a tailor shop in 1895 and 1900, a crockery shop from 1907 to 1910, a clothing store in 1917, and a beauty parlor from 1969 to 1980. H&R Block opened an office there in 1981 and the current tenant of the building is Studio 31, an art gallery. The second and third floors house apartments. 

A unique feature of this gable roof building is that it is built into the side of a hill. The first floor was constructed of rubble masonry and features a glass storefront. This building has undergone a number of renovations and no longer remains in its original form.

Sources: Residential Assessment Record (1972); Csmarich, J & Klappa, P. (2000, May 12) City of Houghton Blocks 9 and 11; Image: University Archives and Historical Collections No Neg 2006-02-03-005