Nissila Livery and Greenhouse Collection
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.
- 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