As the evening darkens, Elf Briskie has arrived at the corner of Kirkkokatu and Koulukatu. He recalls the tasty sweetbread and gingerbread cookies you could buy from Jurvelin, the baker.
Elf Briskie strolls along the Pekkatori square in the dark of the evening. He recalls the glory days of the sailing era, when he had just been given the elf's job at Katinhäntä (Cat's Tail) area. The Christmas tree lights up the square beautifully. It's time to move on to Kirkkokatu street, his patrol area for the night.
- This was the corner where hat maker Karl Jurvelin (1801-1878) lived. He was a smallish, portly man. Hat makers were greater masters than cap makers, Briskie recalls and knows.
The hat maker's house was dark yellow and had small windows. In the doorway, a statue stood inviting customers, on the head of which the master had hung a pointy hat cut out of sheet metal.
- There it was, swaying in the wind, squeaking and creaking, Briskie chuckles at the memory. When Jurvelin couldn't earn enough money making hats, he became a wheatbaker. His earnings were better than they were as a hat maker. His daughter Anni continued to run her father's bakery.
Additional Information (In Finnish)
Samuli Paulaharju: Wanha Raahe
Raahen Museo – Raahelaisen lähetystyön alkutaipaleelta
Raahen Museo – Kirjakauppaa ja muita sivistyksellisiä toimia
Raahe-info – Kirkkokatu 20
Back to the front page of the Old Town Raahe Advent Calendar