Chippewa County WI Genealogical Society

05/24/2026

For our May 23rd meeting, we had Martin Treptow talk about the ongoing search for the missing stones at the Tilden Lutheran Cemetery out on County C. We went out late last month for a look around and found two of the lost markers. After some brushing, another four were found. This leaves one last known marker yet to be found. Martin talked about gathering information on what was there, and a map showing approximate locations. He was thrilled when we found those stones, and we took a trip out to the cemetery after the meeting to check it out with several members of the families that are buried there. As an added bonus, Rebecca cleaned several of the stones with the proper care and cleaning solution, making them much more readable.
We thank Martin for all his time and research he puts into his projects, and the new and updated book on the cemetery. This makes our job at CCGS easier when people come in for their own research.

05/22/2026

Have a good weekend!

05/21/2026

05/20/2026

DB's 2026 Bluelight Special #20
412 North Bridge Street

The 1874 aerial view of Chippewa Falls shows a two story building on this lot which probably served as a boarding house and/or saloon. The lumbering and milling professions required a multitude of both.

1883: Saloon, likely owned by Phil Thornton

1886: Yep Wing Kee laundry. It’s interesting to note that Chippewa has had at least 3 different Chinese laundries over the years.

March 1893: The Linse Brothers ( I’ve found only one brother’s name in my research- Charles. The remaining brother(s) are unknown ) purchased the wood frame laundry building ( including lot) for $1,950 and began razing the structure in order to replace it with a brick building. As the work progressed, the air was filled with the stench of human waste- the laundry employees had been using a latrine instead of the city’s sewer system 🤢

August 24,1893: The Linse Brothers laundry officially opened as the Chippewa Steam Laundry. As you will notice in the picture I’ve included of the current building, “ Linse Bros.” remains inscribed on the upper front section of the structure, over 130 years later !

1924: A Mr. A. H. Horn from Antigo, WI purchased the Linse Bros. Chippewa Steam Laundry and in turn sold it to the Huebsch Laundry and Dry Cleaning Company of Eau Claire in November of 1925. I was surprised to learn that Huebsch was this old.

July 1933: It seems the history of a building in Chippewa Falls isn’t complete without including at least one saloon. Given that fact, Mr. C. Westlund opened Slim’s Tavern here just 3 months after
Prohibition ended

1937: John Hurt purchased the building and opened Johnnie’s Tavern.

March 1940: Harold W. Peterson opened the Naborhood Bakery, an icon in Chippewa’s history. It would be fun to compare the pastries of 1940 with those of say the 1990’s. Did they change much? How do you even improve the donut?

1955: Bertha Peterson took ownership of the Naborhood Bakery after her husband passed away, then sold it to Robert and Jean Halbleib in October of 1957. Yes, this is the same Bob Halbleib that later became mayor of our fair city

December 30, 1963: Liz and Dick Kleinvachter purchased the bakery and excelled the business. In 2002 they sold it to Albert Kleinvachter.

There appears to be a period of time here that the building sat empty, but I have no specific dates.

April 2013: The Hong Kong House moved here following a fire that destroyed their building at 15 West Spring Street. It remains in business as of the writing of this article. ( Just an FYI: my personal favorite is the sweet/sour chicken💚💛).

Thanks much for following and I hope you enjoy reading these building histories as much as I enjoy researching them.

Respectfully, Dennis Brain
Chippewa County WI Genealogical Society and Old Chippewa Falls Facebook site

05/19/2026

Don't forget to set goals such as organizing photos and information, identify photos, etc.

Do you have genealogy goals? What are your goals and how do you plan on accomplishing them?

05/13/2026

DB’s 2026 Bluelight Special #19
20 West Spring Street

As we’ve seen before, West Spring Street ( especially the first block) is one of the oldest business sections in Chippewa Falls history. This is yet another lot with a rich past and one which is older than the first advertisements and articles record. It is highly likely 20 West Spring Street was destroyed in the fire of 1869 and rebuilt shortly thereafter.

The first verifiable record I can find is from 1874 when Thomas Phillips was operating a general merchandise store. It would be fun to go back and compare the items in stock at that time to what we have today.

1885: Harry Roe saloon. I have yet to see an advertisement for the old saloons; I’ve often wondered how graphic they might have been

1889: Alexander Greiner saloon. I’m guessing a vast majority of buildings in this block were saloons/taverns at some point in their history. It’s almost a requirement!

December 1892: James A. Mitchell opened a restaurant and confectionary store. Confectionaries sold primarily home-made candy, but generally branched out to include newspapers, to***co products, flowers, ice cream, etc.

May 1920: Gustav and Fredericka Hering purchased the restaurant/confectionary

May 1926: Melvin Smith purchased the business and renamed it Smith’s Cafe

July 1932: Buchanan’s Men’s Wear moved here from 212 North Bridge Street, Carlos Buchanan owner

May 1937: Holtz Brothers Electric moved here from 17 North Bridge Street, owned by Ezra and Roy Holtz

October 1943: A. H. Bacon opened the City Bargain Store, dealing primarily in second hand furniture

June 1946: Harry Molin jeweler and Padrutt Photo Service, Jerome A. Padrutt owner

January 1955: Padrutt Photo and Russ Moyer jeweler

July 1959: Padrutt Photo and Eric’s Jewelry and Watch Repair, Eric Hopf owner. Many of us Boomers bought our first 45 records at Padrutt’s

June 1978: John Wiltrout purchased Padrutt Photo and also opened a Radio Shack franchise in the area formerly occupied by Eric’s Jewelry

1988: Padrutt Photo / Radio Shack owned by Randy Michaelis and The Byte Doctor owned by Lawrence Werle and Terry Giordano. Randy established Professional Electronic Services in 1989

1993: Glenn Seyforth opened Seyforth’s Quality Appliance and two years later added Seyforth’s Camera and Studio

2013: Seyforth’s Photography moved to 16 West Columbia Street and Clear Water Martial Arts, the current occupant, purchased the building shortly after

Thanks for viewing and be sure to share any additions or corrections - I try to present a complete and accurate history of the buildings in Chippewa Falls

Respectfully, Dennis Brain
Chippewa County WI Genealogical Society and Old Chippewa Falls Facebook site

05/08/2026

Someone has to do the job!

Have a great weekend!

05/06/2026

DB’s 2026 Bluelight Special #18
704 East Grand Avenue

The 1903 Chippewa Falls Sanborn map shows a vacant lot at this location, and Clinton Redard still lives at 707 East Grand Avenue in 1917, so the building on this lot was likely constructed new in 1923. In April of that year, Redard Brothers ( Clint and Wirt) petitioned the City Council for permission to install a gas tank at 704 East Grand Avenue. And in May of 1923 they petitioned for permission to install an air pump. Obviously they were in early stages of construction on their future business.

June 5, 1923 is the first advertisement I can find for the Redard Bros. grocery store-it is a notice for arsenate of zinc, a powder which was used primarily by the farming community as an insecticide.

April 1925: Redard Bros. installed an electric sign outside their store. This is a bold move by a mom & pop’s grocery store, as electric signs were relatively new yet in 1925. It would no doubt command top dollar at auction today, being a one-of-a-kind piece of history.

May 15, 1925: Interesting article in The Chippewa Telegram. “ Redard Bros. have a curio in their possession in the way of a five dollar bill made in 1880 bearing the photo’s of Generals Grant and Sherman”. When I read things like this, I always wonder what happened to the item.

July 1926: Redard Bros. changes oil companies from Winona Oil to Golden Rule Oil Company at their gas pumps.I remember the pumps ( two I believe) on the west side of the building under an overhang, still there in the late 1960’s. For some reason it seems I saw a picture long ago of a pump that was curbside on East Grand Avenue. I do know that the City Council passed an ordinance requiring removal of all gas pumps at the street, but I don’t remember what year.

July 1926: Redard Bros. begins construction on a 50’ addition to their store on the east side. It opened up an area for new business adventures.

March 1927: Redard Bros. begins selling automobile tires ( Sieberlang brand)

July 1927: Redard Bros. begins selling used cars. Not many grocery stores ( if any) ventured this far away from groceries and meat

October 30, 1928: Redard Bros. Petitions for a license to sell soft drinks, which was eventually approved. I’ve noticed that during the prohibition years (January 16, 1920-April 1933) a license was required to sell soft drinks. This was another step to prevent the selling of alcohol, which was obviously illegal.

I’ve never researched a grocery store that sold such a diversified line of items outside of groceries and meats. As you scroll thru the attached advertisements you’ll see what I mean; rat poison, fireworks, ci******es, furniture, Christmas trees, rugs, lamps. It’s no wonder they were able to stay in business for 50+ years. And I will always remember the creaky wood floors.

June 1976: Humpty Dumpty Daycare, Rod Plummer owner and manager

January 1977: Pacer Industrues

1981: Barnhardt’s Furniture and Appliances

September 1983: Bresina’s Old Home Restaurant opens, William and Terry Bresina owners

2021: The name is changed to Sid Harvey’s Diner

I’ve enjoyed researching this one a little more than some others as I have fond memories of frequenting Redards in my youth, primarily for candy and sports cards

Many thanks for following along and I always welcome additions, corrections , and shared memories

Respectfully, Dennis Brain
Chippewa County WI Genealogical Society and Old Chippewa Falls Facebook site

05/05/2026

Just remember when you are doing a write up or talking with others about your family, be specific! Some families might several family members with the same name. There might several members living in the same area. There might be more than one family member that entered the religious life or ministry.

The list can go on and on!

05/01/2026

Have a great weekend!

04/29/2026

DB’s 2026 Bluelight Special #17
1014 Pearl Street

This is an address I researched and posted 2 years ago, but I’ve obtained new information and updated its history.

The earliest Chippewa Falls map that shows this section of town is the 1895 Chippewa Falls Sanborn map, which records a two story wood framed structure on this lot. It’s likely older than that.

In 1914, George LaBelle is listed as the resident at 1016 Pearl Street, the same location as 1014.

May 1919: Frank Proulx opens a meat market here, the first business on this site. In March of 1920, his newspaper advertisement states “Frank Proulx, meats and groceries”.

March 1927: George Popple purchases the business from Frank Proulx and it becomes Popple Grocery

April 1928: Russell Guy Grocery ( you wonder why the business sold to a different owner less than a year later. Possibly death or illness in the Popple family, or the fact that the 1920’s were a tough economic time in our history).

May 1929: Charles Ermatinger purchases the business and opens his grocery store

February 1933: H.L. Clink and A.S. Johnson open the Pearl Grocery

August 1933: Leo Homan opens Homan’s Grocery ( again, merely months after the previous owners began business). I’ve seen the name spelled as both Homan and Holman, but Homan is the predominant spelling.

October 1936: Frank and Clara Proulx re-enter the grocery business and open Proulx’s Grocery again

August 1946: Winfield Lund opens Lund’s Cafe

1952: Claire House purchases the building and opens Pearl Street Lunch

January 1959: Lionel A. Olson, Sr. ( registered pharmacist) opens Ole’s Pearl Street Drugstore. A drastic change from the previous grocery/ cafe businesses.

March 1973: Betty Vee Beauty Shop.
Evelyn Cudney owner, Olya Menet manager

January 1976: Kathy Rykal purchased the Betty Vee Beauty Shop

June 1980: Dr. Martin Akan, DDS, opens his business as Family Practice Dentistry

1999: K9 Clippers pet grooming service, Lisa Stanford owner

At this point, the building appears to have been vacant for a few years, but I can’t verify how long or why

January 2006: The Lillybelle Bakery and Delicatessen , Kayanna Spooner owner

June 2010: Pearl Street Cafe, Amy Farnham owner.

2021: Elements Salon Studios, Betsy Larson proprietor. She purchased the business in 2019.

Thanks for following along and feel free to message me with additions or corrections

Respectfully, Dennis Brain
Chippewa County WI Genealogical Society and Old Chippewa Falls Facebook site