Bayfield 1985

About 30 years ago, back in my rock-n-roll days, one of the bands that I worked with would occasionally be required to make a road trip. The most pleasant of these was Bayfield, Wisconsin, where they hold an annual “Apple Festival” in early October. The venue was named “Bate’s Bar” (not related to the motel, I hope) and we would play both Friday and Saturday nights—leaving us with a full day to amuse ourselves in the picturesque harbor town. While wandering about I spotted an old storefront. Rundown, apparently neglected, but still full of interesting things: boat motors and other gear, automotive parts and unidentifiable miscellany. The north lighting streaming through the large plate glass windows was most photogenic so I took some pictures:

Some of the items in the store looked relatively new, while others were very old, including this calendar from 1928:

Beneath the picture on the calendar was printed:

H. A. Reiten, Auto Supplies and Repairs, Phone 07, Bayfield … Wisconsin 

Halvor A. Reiten was born in 1895 and died in 1982—only a few years before my first visit—his shop was in existence in Bayfield for over fifty years! Ten years ago, when the Weaver and I returned there, the shop was gone and the old working waterfront was bristling with new condos. Halvor was evidently quite the character, with at least one memorable story. I'm sorry I missed him but thankful that I captured these traces of his life.