Corner of Main St. and Forrest St. looking West (circa 1908)

With the exception of the building on the far right of this photo, the buildings on this block have changed very little in the past 100 years. On the left, at the far end of the block, you can see the tower on the corner of the building that is now occupied by McGlynn's pharmacy. In 1908, that building was the location of Scheldrup & Son drug store. This building was erected in 1897 and has been the home of a pharmacy for it's entire existence. 

The wooden building on the right is the J. F. Nelson "The Reliable Grocer" store. Dr. Nelson was a veterinarian whose office was in the same building. He inherited the grocery business from his father, Andrew, after Andrew's death in February 1908. In 1959, this wooden building was replaced by the colonial brick building that is there today. For many years, it was the home of Stoughton Federal Savings and Loan. Today it is the location of Chalet Travel and Wildwood Cafe. 

To the left of the grocery store is F. M. Jensen Shoes. This building was built sometime between 1871 and 1884 and was a shoe store for most of it's history. Today it is the home of the Dairyland Dessert Cafe. 

The building to the left of the shoe store is one of the oldest buildings on Main Street, and one of only three wooden buildings in the downtown historic district that have avoided fires, storms and demolitions for more than 140 years. This building was constructed in the mid 1800s not long after the city was founded. In 1908, it was a millinery store run by Miss Christine Spanum and Miss Elma Luras. Today it is the home of Broodminder.

To the left of that is the storefront of Henry Eiken, merchant tailor. Mr. Eiken sold high-end clothing and did cleaning and alterations. You could also buy sewing machines from H. H. Swan at that location. Upstairs was the office of Charles Wright, dentist, and the home of J. G. Greenwood, a jeweler. Today, the building is the home of Stoughton Floral.

The tall building to the left of Henry Eiken's shop is the Masonic Hall building built in 1869. In 1908, it was the location of W. H. Terwilliger Pool & Billiards. Located upstairs, was Charles M. Hintze, cigar manufacturer. Also located in this building, was the Charles Chin Handwork Laundry. Today, this beautifully preserved building is the home of Sun & Lace.

The next building is the Hans Peterson building, built in 1865. In 1908, it was the location of George W. Becker's grocery store. The upstairs apartment was rented to Julia Jorgenson. Today, this building is the home of Diakonos Designs. 

The next building up the block with the elaborate woodwork at the top is the Johnson Building. In 1908, it was the Empire Restaurant, owned and operated by Emil Olson & George Hedemark. Both of these gentlemen and their wives occupied apartments on the second floor. Most recently this building was Felland's Men's Wear and then Giggles toy store. Today it is being extensively remodeled in a manner that preserves it's historic features.

The next building with the red brick face and unique window ornamentation is the Boyce Block. This was the historic home of O. N. Falk & Son drug store. (Yes, just two buildings away from Scheldrup & Son drug store.) Ole Falk and his brother, Fred Falk, were among Stoughton's earliest settlers. Fred Falk also owned a drug store just one block away. A room on the second floor of the Boyce Block was the downtown office of Dr. Michael Iversen. Today, this building is the home of A Day in the Country. 

Finally, the double-wide building between the O. N. Falk & Son and Scheldrup & Son drug stores is the Brickson Block. In 1908, this building was the location of a clothing store and the Stoughton Wall Paper Company. Today, it's the home of Overt Space and Main Street Kitchen.