Galena's Living History Alliance

2 days ago

There is something fascinating about peeling back the layers of an old house and finding history hidden within the walls and floors.

Two of our GLHA members, Michelle and Norm, are currently renovating the bathroom in their Henry J. Stouffer House at 705 S. Bench Street, and every day uncover another little piece of Galena’s past.

Shown here is a sample of the original 1844 wallpaper discovered during the renovation, along with three hand-forged 182 year-old nails that were found tucked beneath the floorboards. Norm also discovered two porcelain electrical insulators hidden in the floor joists, part of the home’s very early electrical system.

It was reported in 1888 that the Galena Electric Light Company was "stringing wires along the streets" so homes could soon be illuminated by electric lights. At the time, this would have been considered an incredible luxury. Many Galena homes were retrofitted from gas lighting or oil lamps to electricity during the 1890s and early 1900s.

Henry Stouffer would not have had gas lighting when this home was built in 1844. In fact, it was not until 1855 that Hezekiah Gear helped organize Galena’s Gas Light Company. That means the original lighting in the Stouffer home was probably candles, whale oil lamps, lard oil lamps, or possibly early fluid or kerosene-style lamps.

We always say these old homes have stories to tell… and sometimes they are literally hiding beneath the floorboards just waiting to be discovered. … See MoreSee Less

Galena's Living History Alliance

2 weeks ago

Yesterday, we had the honor of being at 200 Park Avenue, the beautiful William Ridd House (1892), as Cory and his wife, Mariel, chose to honor William Ridd and his family during the ribbon cutting ceremony for their bed & breakfast, The Painted Cat of Galena.

At the same time, we were there alongside Galena Area Chamber of Commerce celebrating their ribbon-cutting ceremony, and it truly felt like one of those moments where past and present come together.

William Ridd’s story is one that weaves itself into the heart of Galena. He was born in Devonshire, England in 1849, and in 1864, after the loss of his mother, he emigrated to Galena with his father and two brothers to begin a new chapter here.

As a young man, he stepped into Galena’s busy mercantile life, even becoming a partner in a grocery business on Main Street. But it was after his marriage to Louisa Fritz in 1873 that his path became more closely tied to the lumber, sash, and door trade… a world her family was already deeply rooted in. Over time, William became associated with J. Fritz & Co. and built his career there as a commercial agent.

Together, William and Louisa raised their two children, Edith and William F., and built a life filled with both the joys and hardships that so many families of that time experienced. In 1892, they moved into the home at 200 Park Avenue… a place that would hold so many of their memories.

William was remembered as a man of a sunny disposition, a great reader, and someone well informed on many subjects… the kind of person you can almost picture sitting quietly, taking it all in. He passed away in 1914 after a short illness, and just two years later, the family faced the heartbreaking loss of their son. Louisa eventually moved to Canada to be near their daughter, but in the end, she was brought back home to Galena, where she rests beside her husband, along with the Fritz family, in Greenwood Cemetery.

Stories like this are why we do what we do… because within these walls are the lives that came before us… the quiet moments, the heartbreaks, the celebrations… all still felt in their own way today.

Cory and Mariel, thank you for honoring William Ridd and his family, and for being such wonderful stewards of this beautiful piece of Galena’s history. … See MoreSee Less