The North Shore of Lake Superior boasts many examples of exquisite masonry buildings. Famous stone structures range from Glensheen Mansion and Tower Hall of the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, to the Port Arthur Collegiate Institute and Whalen Building in Thunder Bay. All four of these buildings were constructed in the early 20th century. A century later, the region’s masonry heritage is being continued by a new generation of masons. One local company with a rich masonry history is JM Inc, based in Duluth. Here’s how JM Inc, founded in 1993, has grown to be a leader on the North Shore masonry market.
JM Inc was founded by Ken Johnston, whose father was a mason in Washington state. Johnston continued the family masonry tradition, and after moving to Duluth, he opened Johnston Masonry. Joel Bruckelmyer started working for Johnston in 1999 as a laborer, while still in high school. He then became a mason, foreman, and later transitioned to the office. “Ken and I worked side by side for 25 years. He was a mentor to me in the whole construction field. We’ve done everything from pouring concrete for the Cook County Co-op, to building full brick houses. We do stone fireplaces, patios, and decorative concrete, and all of that I learned working side by side with Ken for many years.” When Johnston decided to retire, Bruckelmyer purchased the company from him.
Today, Bruckelmyer has grown JM Inc’s business to 35 employees. JM Inc continues to do custom stone and brick masonry from Duluth to Grand Portage, but Bruckelmyer has also continually widened the scope of services offered. “We provide such great service to our clients,” says Bruckelmyer, “that they asked us ‘Can you take care of this too?’” Today, JM Inc does everything from driveways to garages, and decks to additions.
One construction niche that JM Inc has filled over the last five years is building sea walls to protect lakeside homes from Lake Superior’s mighty gales. “We’ve had some great accomplishments when it comes to sea walls,” Bruckelmyer says.
Demand for sea walls took off five years ago when the water level on Lake Superior rose to unprecedented levels. “The lake was 2 feet above standard levels,” Bruckelmyer recounts. Erosion became a real concern for a lot of people, and that’s where we stepped in to help people save their properties. Cabins were getting dangerously close to being washed into the Lake. We did a lot of sea wall work, and still do.”
In fact, one particularly challenging North Shore sea wall became Bruckelmyer’s favorite construction project of all. “The wall is integrated with steps that come down to a small landing overlooking the lake,” recounts Bruckelmyer. “The wall wraps around the side of a cliff, and stops erosion from making the cabin fall into the lake. It’s a really great looking project, and it’s got a wave deflector on the bottom of the outlook patio, so waves don’t splash up and hit anybody on the landing.”
Even as lake levels have receded in recent years, Bruckelmyer says there is still demand for erosion protection due to the effects of high water five years ago: “Once erosion has started, it wipes out the trees and plants, which means erosion can now continue even at normal lake levels.”
Sea walls are particularly challenging to build, as they can only be accessed from a narrow strip of land, and are in the unruly lake’s constant aim. Going back to his favorite project, Bruckelmyer says his team had to get creative: “It was an incredible project that took a lot of innovation and teamwork to get done because the equipment access was so tough. We had to bring a crane in to lower all the materials and the excavator down to the beach so we could work.”
Of course, Superior wasn’t going to let the team get off easy. “It’s a little daunting. Superior can kick up some pretty good storms,” says Bruckelmyer. “There was one storm that kicked up while we were working and it actually moved some of our machinery. We buttoned everything down and protected our worksite as best we could. We were able to finish the project in a timely manner.”
Bruckelmyer, who grew up on a small farm outside of Two Harbors, emphasizes his team’s orientation to nature. “We really try to make our work blend into the surrounding environment. We appreciate the beauty of the rugged North Shore, the rocks and cliffs,” says Bruckelmyer. “We stamp and color our sea walls to make them look like the rock itself, so they blend in with their natural surroundings.”
JM Inc also does a lot of restoration work. “We’ve restored some of the historic buildings along the North Shore,” Bruckelmyer explains. “Some very talented stone masons made some of those homes 100 plus years ago. So to come in and restore them and bring them back to their original condition is satisfying work for our crews. It’s good that the owners are keeping them intact.”
Overall, Bruckelmyer says masonry is an art form that takes a vision. “You’ve got to have someone that can envision what looks right. In masonry, there’s a variety of materials you can use, from brick to stone to granite slabs. It’s a wide range, and when you’ve got someone with vision, plus the experience of knowing what materials are available, it becomes an art form to put all the pieces together and make something beautiful.”
JM Inc is keeping traditions alive, not least of which is the family business tradition. Two of Ken Johnston’s sons still work for the company, and three of Bruckelmyer’s sons do. JM Inc is set to be part of the North Shore’s masonry heritage for a long time to come.