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Nissila Livery and Greenhouse Collection

 Collection — Box: 1-7
Identifier: MS-780

Collection Scope and Content Summary

Financial and operational records, correspondence and photographs relating to the livery and floral businesses operated by the Nissila family of Ripley, Michigan. Also included are photographs and negatives unrelated to the business operations, including negatives taken during the family members' services in WWII and the Vietnam War.

Dates

  • 1899-1996

Language of Material

English

Conditions Governing Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from Michigan Technological University Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections.

Biography

Originally called Nissila & Makela Livery and also Scott Street Livery, the business began as a livery stable, providing horses and carriages to individuals, companies, and for funeral services. It was located on Scott Street in Hancock. Eventually, the business evolved into a floral shop. After returning from service in Europe during WWII, Carl Nissila took over the shop along with his wife Gertrude. He attended Michigan State University from 1948-1950, earning a degree in horticulture. The floral shop started in the home on Scott Street and later moved to a location on Quincy Street, where it remained until 1952, when the business moved again to Ripley. The location in Ripley had been in place since the early part of the century, originally being home to a local competitor, Dale’s Greenhouse. In 1984, Carl and Gertrude retired, and Carl’s son Pete and his wife Jill took over the business. Pete was a recipient of a master's degree in horticulture from Oregon State University in Corvallis. Locally, during his management of the greenhouse he hosted a weekly radio show on WZRK-FM and offered gardening classes. The business remained active until 2008, at which time the property went up for sale.

Extent

3.11 Cubic Feet (7 manuscript boxes)

Abstract

Collection, 1899-1996, consists of financial and operational records, correspondence and photographs relating to the livery and floral businesses operated by the Nissila family of Ripley, Michigan. Also included are photographs and negatives unrelated to the business operations, including negatives taken during the family members’ services in WWII and the Vietnam War.

Arrangement

MS-780 has been arranged into three series:

Series I, Business Records, 1899-1996 Series II, Photographs and Negatives, Approximately 1926-1949; 1968-1993 Series III, Miscellaneous Papers and Records, 1935-1948; 1991

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Three cubic feet of records, which included financial records, operation records, correspondence, and photographs from several livery and greenhouse businesses associated with the Nissila family as well as personal papers, printed items, and documents related to other businesses was donated to the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections by Pete Nissila in 2008.

Related Material

Material related to MS-780 found in this institution include:

Vertical File: Businesses-Nissila's Greenhouse, Inc. Vertical File: Businesses-Dale’s Flower Shop Biographical File: NH-NI (General)- Obituaries of Carl & Gertrude Nissila

Title
Nissila Livery and Greenhouse Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Elizabeth Russell, revised by Rachael Bussert
Date
10/9/2009
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English
Sponsor
Funding provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Repository Details

Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton 49931 U.S.A. US