Founded in 1890, Whiteheads is Butte's oldest business. Specializing in kitchen cutlery and gadgets, hunting knives, folding work knives, sharpening stones, shavers, scissors, swords and ice skates.
Joseph Whitehead began this cutlery business in 1890 on South Wyoming Street after following mining camps for many years. With $20.05 in his pocket he bought a 5 cent loaf of bread and for $20, grinding equipment from a Mr. Howser. A St. Bernard dog on a treadmill powered the wheel used for grinding knives. When Joseph installed an electric motor to replace the dog, the business became known as Butte Electric Grinding Works. In 1903 the shop was moved to 15 N. Wyoming, and renamed Butte Grinding & Cutley Shop with straight razors and barber supplies added to the merchandise. Joseph's son Edward joined the business in 1915 and became a partner in 1922. The business has been located at its present site on Park Street since 1955 under the title Whitehead Cutlery and Shaver Shop
