History 21 The Podcast - 4.23 The Witte Block in Anoka

As you cross the Rum River Bridge into Downtown Anoka the road curves slightly past a long row of tall brick buildings that have been home to businesses for over 140 years. Hear the story of one city block, and the stories it contains from drug stores, shoe, and hardware stores, to restaurants and bowling alleys.

Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.

Red & White Grocery Store Interior

circa 1940

Choo Choo Grill interior

Interior Witte Drug Store before 1924

Witte's Drug Store

120 E. Main St. after the fire, 1924

Witte Drug Store after 1924

Main Street, Anoka

Postcard Main St., Anoka postmarked Oct 18, 1909, 8:30p.m.

Main St., Anoka

Postcard “Main Street - Home of Hoff’s German Liniment.” 1907

Peterson's Shoes and Red & White Grocery Store

Circa 1950

The buildings along the 100 Block of East Main Street in Anoka were all built in the curse of one year from 1884 to 1885. If you look at the top of the buildings the dates are etched into the brick. Numerous businesses have called the block home, and photographers have captured the changes over the years. Watch as the signs change over the years in this selection of photographs from the ACHS collection.

Today the block is home to*:

• 120 E. Main St - Dan Gould Jewelers

• 118 E. Main St. - Vantage Point Marketing

• 112 E. Main St. - Jensen’s Clothing Store

• 112 E Main St. - Anoka Clothing Co.

• 108 E. Main St. - Schmitt Music and Twin Cities Instrument Repair

• 106 E. Main St. - Salon 11

• 1922 1st Ave (100 E. Main St.) - Ginny Bites Bakery

• 1922 1st Ave (100 E. Main St.) - R Marketplace

*Note this is not a complete list of businesses