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Any photos not otherwise credited are from the personal collection of Frank Passic, Albion Historian.
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Morning Star, April 24, 2022, pg. 8 The Morning Star is in need of carriers and carrierettes (if that’s a word) to deliver copies of this paper on weekends along various routes in Albion. In order to read this column each week, someone has to deliver it to your doorstep. If you haven’t been receiving the Morning Star in Albion, you should have been. So if you know of a person or persons who needs some exercise and/or some money and is willing to work for it, give the Morning Star a call at (517) 629-2127 for further information. One long-time Albion business from the past was Frost’s Shoe Store, located at 213 S. Superior St. It was in existence from December 18, 1867, until April, 1954, a total of 86 years. Frost’s Shoe Store was a mainstay in downtown Albion. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its founder, Robert J. Frost, Sr. (1842-1923) was Albion’s longest continuous in-business merchant at the time of his death, a total of 55 years. Robert was a native of Cambridge, England. He came with his family to America and eventually settled in Albion in the 1850s. After serving in the Civil War, Robert returned to Albion and opened his shoe store in December, 1867 in partnership with Charles S. Daskam (1831-1904), whom he later bought out. Robert was involved in local politics and served on the Village Council, and served as Village Treasurer. He was a staunch Democrat. When Albion became a city in 1885, he became Albion's first City Treasurer. Robert was elected the second Mayor of Albion in 1886, and was re-elected in 1889 for another term. Robert married Fannie Olcott in 1868, and the couple had two children: Robert J. and Belle (married name Richardson of Parlier, CA). Son Robert J. Frost (1880-1932) graduated from Albion High School in 1898 and became a partner with his father in the shoe business. It then became known as Robert Frost & Son. Following Robert J’s death in 1932, his wife Ada (1884-1984) took over the operations, with Herman Zick working as manager during the 1930s. Ada later managed it herself until selling in it April, 1954. At that time, it became Dick’s Shoes which operated for a few years before closing. From our Historical Notebook we present a 1939 photograph of Frost’s Shoe Store at 213 S. Superior St. How many of our readers remember this business?  1939 photograph of Frost’s Shoe Store at 213 S. Superior St.
All text copyright, 2026 © all rights reserved Frank Passic | Artwork copyright Maggie LaNoue © 2026
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