Richland County History Room

Richland County History Room Historical research for families and places in Richland County, Wisconsin.

Loyd School, Willow Township, 1965From the Feb 4th, '65 Richland Observer: "In 1884 there were 130 school districts in R...
01/05/2025

Loyd School, Willow Township, 1965

From the Feb 4th, '65 Richland Observer:
"In 1884 there were 130 school districts in Richland County and most of these were one-room rural schools. In 1965, 21 one-room schools remain - 12 in the integrated Richland District and 9 in the Ithaca and Weston school districts. This represents a high percentage of the 124 one-room schoolhouses still remaining in the state." This number has of course dwindled by 2025, and one school, Akey School Museum, is sponsored and maintained by the Richland County Historical Society and remains available to the public.

By 1981, Fred and Hazel Pauls of Willow Township purchased the Loyd school building from Ithaca School District and donated it to the township, after which it was used as a community building and town hall.

left to right (3): Leonard Paul Stoddard Jr. (1917-1998); Harolyn Ewing (?) ; Earl Lyle Anderson (1909-1998)

For the full file and more, visit our website:
https://cdm16698.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rchr/id/9624/rec/47

"The Bluffs," c. 1922Postcard written to Miss Leta (Leida) Janney (1893-1954) from Pearl A. Gwin Davis (1865-1956) with ...
01/04/2025

"The Bluffs," c. 1922

Postcard written to Miss Leta (Leida) Janney (1893-1954) from Pearl A. Gwin Davis (1865-1956) with a brief message: "Dear Leta, I do hope you are much and will soon be home. With lots of Love, Mrs Jake Davis." A part of the 1771 Series, the picture is believed to have been taken in southern Buena Vista Township.

Donated by Theora Janney.
For the full file and more, visit our website:
https://cdm16698.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rchr/id/1295/rec/18

George Hines’ 77th birthday party at the LeMoine home near Woodstock, Rockbridge Township, January 4, 1913. left to righ...
01/03/2025

George Hines’ 77th birthday party at the LeMoine home near Woodstock, Rockbridge Township, January 4, 1913.


left to right, kneeling in front (5): Fogo, John Charles (1855-1933); Kinyon, Jedediah M. ‘Jed’ (1857-1927); Hines, Lester LeMoine (1870-1943); Hines, John N. ‘Johnie’ (1870-1940); Murray, John N. (1858-1943);
standing in front (14): Mosher, Abram Justice ‘Jet’ (1840-1933); Tadder Mosher, Elizabeth Adeline (1843-1920); Beaty Holloway, Margarite Elizabeth ‘Maggie’ (1850-1922); Ferguson Gillingham, Margaret F. ‘Peg’ (1906-1971); Mick Richardson, Susan Elvira (1844-1925); Freeman Davis Austin, Charlotte ‘Lottie’ (1842-1921); Clendenning Kinyon, Charlotte C. (1867-1919); Hines LeMoine, Ida S. Pierce (1862-1928); Wooster Fogo, Barbara Dallas (1856-1921); Woodman Murray, Olive W. (1862-1923); Huffman, John (1848-1921); Ferguson, Ek; Huffman, Thaddeus Henry ‘Thad’ (1861-1930); LeMoine, Felix R. (1893-1964);
standing in back (11): Hines, George (1836-1918); Holloway, James Byrd ‘Jim’ (1847-1939); Austin, Edward Pasco ‘Ed’ (1830-1915); LeMoine Ferguson, Vernie May (1884-1945); unidentified; Lawton Huffman, Mae (1864-1941); LeMoine, Felix (1856-1931); Ferguson Warren, Almeda; Snow, James A. ‘Jim’ (1836-1918); Smith Snow, Lucy A. (1843-1932); Banker LeMoine, Mamie L. (1893-1985);

For the full file and more, visit our website: https://cdm16698.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rchr/id/18082/rec/3

" #3: Bird's Eye View from South," c. 1908 The front reads: "TAKEN FROM TOP OF 175 FT. SMOKESTACK OF PAC. COAST COND. MI...
01/02/2025

" #3: Bird's Eye View from South," c. 1908

The front reads: "TAKEN FROM TOP OF 175 FT. SMOKESTACK OF PAC. COAST COND. MILK CO.” The quarry can be seen on Reservoir Hill, which was gifted to the city in 1926 by Grant L. Miner in honor of his father, James H. Miner, one of the first pioneers of the community. James Miner served as school superintendent, district attorney, county judge, and village president. In 1989, the Roosevelt Drive Scenic Overlook Trail was developed, and in 1991, Miner Hill Trails Park was opened to the public and is now jointly managed as a nature center by the Richland Country Parks Commission and as a recreational trail by the Richland Center Parks and Rec.

Donated by Emma Nolan (1900-1998)
For the full file and more, visit our website:
https://cdm16698.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rchr/id/1950/rec/43

Happy New Year's from our team at the Richland County History Room! As we patiently await spring, this is the perfect se...
01/01/2025

Happy New Year's from our team at the Richland County History Room! As we patiently await spring, this is the perfect season to reflect on the new beginnings experienced by those who came before us, whoever they may be, wherever they may come from.

"McCauley Patriarch and Matriarch," c. 1885
Alexander McCauley Sr. (1810-1897) and Elizabeth Bingham (1826-1893), both of Ireland, lived in Scotland briefly before coming to America between 1848 and 1851, possibly by way of the St. Lawrence Riverway, Great Lakes, Fox River, and Rock River, living briefly in Janesville and Dane County before finally settling at Steamboat Hollow near Rockbridge. It is believed the family lived in a dugout shelter for a time, and their twin daughters Susan and Elizabeth were born in a cave before a cabin could be built. They had eleven children in all, including: John (1846-1930), Baby Barnard (1848-1850), Barnard H. (1851-1939), Samuel (1851-1930), Sarah (McDonough, 1853-1912), Mary (Wallace, 1855-1879), Susan (Driskill, 1858-1943), Elizabeth (West, 1858-1943), Alexander Jr (1860-1938), Charles (1862-1942), and Thomas Keith (1865-1949). Alexander Sr. and Elizabeth are buried in the Richland Center Cemetery, earning their rest after a long journey.

Photograph by WJ Hillman (1878-1912)
For the full file and more, visit our website:
https://cdm16698.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rchr/id/15287/rec/1

Richland Center, c. 1897-1899 Creator WJ Hillman (1878-1912) took several professional landscape and personal portraits ...
12/31/2024

Richland Center, c. 1897-1899

Creator WJ Hillman (1878-1912) took several professional landscape and personal portraits during the early days of Richland Center. A description from State Bank souvenir booklet reads:

"Looking Northwest from Reservoir Hill, Richland Center, showing a part of the residence portion of the city. The hills, with the river at their base, form a background which make a picture impossible to reproduce with a camera.”

Donated by Elizabeth Annear.
For the full file and more, visit our website:
https://cdm16698.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rchr/id/2040/rec/73

"Loading Logs on the Train Car," c. 1918This photo by Albert Simeon Rockwell (1877-1945) depicts a usual day on 3rd and ...
12/30/2024

"Loading Logs on the Train Car," c. 1918

This photo by Albert Simeon Rockwell (1877-1945) depicts a usual day on 3rd and Orange Streets, during a time when the nascent city relied heavily on the railroad system to transport lumber and other goods.

From left to right (6): Rice, William Hiram ‘Bill’ (1873-1947); Fritz, Charley (1885-1960); Burns, Charles ‘Charlie’ (1866-1956); unidentified; unidentified; Parfrey, Charles Albert (1877-1951).

Donated by Bertha Louise Huffman Fowell Coppernoll (1918-2011).
For the full file and more, visit our website: https://cdm16698.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rchr/id/6362/rec/45

"Views of Hub City, Rock Bridge, and Buck Creek," c. 1910Created as a part of the Blossom Series by William W., this cla...
12/29/2024

"Views of Hub City, Rock Bridge, and Buck Creek," c. 1910

Created as a part of the Blossom Series by William W., this classic postcard features familiar locations:

E. M. Snow’s Store, Hub City; Hub City Cheese Factory; H.W. Leatherberry’s Store, Hub City; The Kinyon House, Rock Bridge; Rock Scenery, Rock Bridge; J. M. Kinyon’s Store, Rock Bridge; A View of the Pine River, Buck Creek; and Starkey's Store, Buck Creek.

For the full file and more, visit our website:
https://cdm16698.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rchr/id/6686/rec/9

"Snow on the Snyder Farm," 1929-1930Photo by Emelia E. Snyder (1906-1968) depicting the Snyder Farm, located in the area...
12/26/2024

"Snow on the Snyder Farm," 1929-1930
Photo by Emelia E. Snyder (1906-1968) depicting the Snyder Farm, located in the area of Allison Park in the north part of Richland Center, with poetic description:

"After couple days of a blowing blizzard,
Then, digout the path
From barn – south to water tank
And ff It is in march,
The little snowdrop flowers are growing
under That big drift
East of the rosebush
By The path
South of tank."

For the full file and more, visit our website:
https://cdm16698.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rchr/id/6157/rec/11

Brewer Library Staff Christmas Party at Country Club,1972From left to right: Margaret Helen Scott (1898-1994), Emma Aug...
12/25/2024

Brewer Library Staff Christmas Party at Country Club,1972

From left to right: Margaret Helen Scott (1898-1994), Emma Augusta Stroschine Nolan (1900-1998), Julie Hanold Kepler, Charlotte Lee Evans (1906-2002) and Myra Leona Poorman (1907-1975)

Margaret Helen Scott preserved detailed accounts in "Richland Center, Wisconsin: A History," published that same year.

For the full file and more, visit our website:
https://cdm16698.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rchr/id/6074/rec/45

Christmas Eve, 1954Hilmen Clarence Everson (1904-1963) and wife Violet L. Beighley Everson (1911-1975) are pictured, se...
12/24/2024

Christmas Eve, 1954

Hilmen Clarence Everson (1904-1963) and wife Violet L. Beighley Everson (1911-1975) are pictured, seated and smiling. They married in 1944, and their children include Gladys Irene Beighley Potter Klebig (1931-2005). They are buried together in the Rest Haven Cemetery in Eau Claire County.

Donated by Gloria Sellhorn
https://cdm16698.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rchr/id/20931/rec/1

Sleigh Ride, Bosstown area, c.1915.From left to right, inside sleigh box: (7): Emily May Ogden VanEpps, Alice Fry McCumb...
12/23/2024

Sleigh Ride, Bosstown area, c.1915.

From left to right, inside sleigh box: (7): Emily May Ogden VanEpps, Alice Fry McCumber, Beulah Belle McCumber Glick (1897-1953), Ga***rd Gander (1912-2010), Gladys M.McCumber Glick (1907-1986), Maude McCumber Gander, and Doris Gander Hess.

behind (9): Henry Elmore Harry VanEpps, George W. McCumber (1895-1977), Letha McCumber Brewer, Chester Hiram McCumber (1885-1973), Eliza Helen Ogden McCumber (1866-1952), Solomon Sterling McCumber (1858-1925), Ada Dobbs McCumber (1894-1927), Jedediah IV Dyer C. McCumber (1898-1987) and Melvin Mell Gander (1889-1967).

Donated by Mildred Walker.
For the full file and others, visit our website:
https://cdm16698.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rchr/id/11727/rec/30

Frank's Hill, also known as Hill East, is one of two effigy mound groups located on either side of hwy. 193, south of Ba...
12/21/2024

Frank's Hill, also known as Hill East, is one of two effigy mound groups located on either side of hwy. 193, south of Balmoral.

Frank Shadewald purchased the land in 1998 and thoughtfully preserved the mounds, which were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Before his untimely death in 2013, he bequeathed the land to the Three Eagles Foundation, which hosts public observances of solstices and equinoxes. Such an event will be taking place tonight at 4pm, and all are invited to attend.

For more information on the event and Frank's East and West Hills can be found at:
https://3-eagles.org/winter-solstice-observance-slated-for-franks-hill-december-21-2024/

Pine River Dam, c. 1907-1911Built by Alfred Parfrey and Dexter Pease at the end of Court Street in 1865, the damn is pic...
12/20/2024

Pine River Dam, c. 1907-1911

Built by Alfred Parfrey and Dexter Pease at the end of Court Street in 1865, the damn is pictured here before the footbridge was built in 1912. After numerous floods over the years, the Pine River Watershed Project was proposed in 1976, instigating the d**e system we know today, as well as 388 small damns and other structures, and allocating funds to protect grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands. The dam was finally demolished in 1996 while d**e construction was underway.

For the full file and others, visit our website:
https://cdm16698.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rchr/id/4768/rec/11

"Ice Cream in Krouskop Park," 1970s.This photo by Emily Olson shows Schmitt Woodland Hills enjoying a day in the park. P...
12/19/2024

"Ice Cream in Krouskop Park," 1970s.

This photo by Emily Olson shows Schmitt Woodland Hills enjoying a day in the park. Pictured from left to right: unidentified, Ruth Fellingham, Ethel Klingaman Johnson, and Josephine Schuerman Venard.

For the full file and others, visit our website:
https://cdm16698.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/rchr/id/14999/rec/1

Address

325 N Central Avenue
Richland Center, WI
53581

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+16086476033

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