Excerpts from the Times Herald, April 10th, 2005

Troy Steam Laundry was opened in 1873 at 519 Pine Street, where the Times Herald is now, by the Philbrick family of Port Huron. Henry moved his family from New York to Port Huron when he bought the cleaners, which took its name from a city in New york. Back then, the stiff-collared shirts, which often had detachable collars, were sent to Troy, N.Y., to be cleaned. Places that provided thse services became referred to as Troy laundries.

Henry’s son, Wescott, joined the business in 1921 and ran it from 1942 until 1966 when he died. Wescott’s son, Henry Smith, returned to the Port Huron area after serving in the miltiary and started work at the business in 1953. He ran the business, which moved to its Garfield Street location in the early 1960’s, from 1966 until 1980, when he sold it.

After Henry sold the business in 1980, a couple of other owners followed until Mike Chargot of Port Huron bought it about 19 years ago. Mike opened the Troy location on Pine Grove Avenue in 1998.

Even though times may change, some pieces of history remain. There is a slightly yellowed and crinkled receipt from May 24th, 1948, showing one customer’s order for nine shirts, four pillow slips, and four sheets. The total bill was only $2.57. an old book of matches, a calendar from 1932 and old wire hangers also fill the case along with a framed photograph of Troy Steam Laundry from 1906. The photograph shows a horse-drawn carriage outside of the shop, much different from the drive-through service today.