In the early 1900s, brothers J.W. (Bill) and Archie Freeburg were business partners in the W.H. LaPlant Company, which sold feed, seed, coal, and other farm-related items. In 1933, Bill and Archie left the LaPlant Company and opened their own competing business, Freeburg Bros., Inc. The retail store was on Jackson Street, while the storage sheds for coal, wood, and other commodities were located here, with a railroad spur along the east side of the property providing easy access to the coal storage sheds. Donald, Bill's son, began working for the company after graduating from Anoka High School in 1935. In 1942, Bill bought Archie's share of the business and Donald became a co-owner. Donald served in World War II but returned to the business afterward. In the 1950s, the company expanded into selling ready mixed concrete and fuel oil, which was becoming popular as a home heat source. In 1952, the retail store moved to this site, and the company became known as Freeburg Fuel Company. Freeburg's continued to sell animal feed and bulk seed, building a well-respected reputation within the local farming community. In the late 1960s, the business placed more emphasis on lawn and garden products, and its name changed to Freeburg Lawn and Garden. With the arrival of natural gas in the Anoka area in the late 1970s, demand for fuel oil dropped, and that part of the business was eliminated. In the spring of 1982, Donald and his wife Merlyne disbanded the business and retired.