During the years 1920-1929, Thor was in America with "Thor Westerholm Painting Shop" in New York. During that time, he looked for his uncle Sven, who, as a young man, had run away from home on the frigate Equator, and disembarked in Philadelphia. In the photo below, uncle Sven with the sailor's cap, Thor to his right, next to Sven's wife Kate Gheam. The man to the left of Sven was Gösta Malmberg. Gösta returned to Jakobstad in about 1924.

In 1959, Thor emigrated to America with his wife Margit and their children, Gustaf and Inga, taking the 110 year old painting business with him. After some time in New York, Thor left the firm to Gustaf and continued himself as an employee.

Photo: Thor Viktor Westerholm, 3 March 1896 - 1 April 1967

The painting firm was a success in the United States, and the family felt at home. Gustaf married Birgitta Långsjö from Jakobstad (in 1960). Neither of their two sons wanted to continue the family business, and so Gustaf was the fourth and the last heir to the painting business that his great grandfather Hans Westerholm had started in 1849. The firm was 150 years old when Gustaf retired in 1999. In the photo of Gustaf below is a painting of Hamngatan in the background.

Many postcards have been made of the two homes. Today, there is a hair salon in the home of the brave sailors' widows, and of the old cobbler. However, the old yellow house needs to be repainted because the owner, the town of Jakobstad, is not maintaining the property. I hope the town will renovate the house. The beautiful house is very old and has been protected, according to town plans, since 1978. It gives an impression of the old Jakobstad where they stand next to the old fire station and the Strengberg Tobacco Factory, at the beginning of Hamngatan street, which is undoubtedly the most beautiful street in town, with all the old houses, which are proof of centuries past.

The little red house on Hamngatan is still there, and the yellow Westerholm house is also there.