Chippewa County WI Genealogical Society

04/26/2026

We met at the CCGS Library on April 25th for a quick business meeting, before heading over to Hallie and Johnson Monument to learn all about that business. We met with Regional Manager Chris who gave us history of the business and then a tour through the outdoor stone yard, answering many questions along the way. We were shown the different examples of stone, different shapes, and many styles of writing and decorations. Then into the shop area where the finish work is done. They had several lines of stones on rollers as the work was getting done. The overhead shop crane, sandblast booth, drill and saw stations were there to handle the heavy material. They have been in business since 1917, (Century Business), and have written and digital records of their work at the company. We thank Johnson Monument and Chris for the tour, we really enjoyed it. The business printout and the swag bags were a very nice touch.

04/25/2026

04/24/2026

We've all found a surprise or two!

Have a good weekend!

04/23/2026

CCGS will hold their April Monthly Members Meeting on Saturday, April 25th. We will meet at 10 am in the Chippewa Area History Center for a brief business meeting. Following the meeting, we will drive to Johnson Monument, LLC, located at 3563 N. Prairie View Rd., and at 11 am they will give us a tour of their facility. The meeting and tour are open to the public.

04/22/2026

DB’s 2026 Bluelight Special #16
15-17 West Willow Street

This weeks Special features another location with two street addresses. Until 1963 it was recorded as 15 West Willow Street, then the address was changed to 17 West Willow Street. Same lot, same building- just a different street address.

The 1895 Chippewa Falls Sanborn map shows a vacant lot where slab piles are stored. This wood was likely used to heat a nearby building(s).

1917: The first year a building is recorded on this lot - a residence occupied by Art and Glen Barrows, employees of Moskewitz Fur and Hide Company

January 1961: The first year a business is recorded at this address, the Falls Quick Wash - dry cleaning and laundry ( owner not recorded).

1963: Falls Quick Wash and Dry Cleaning, Robert Neumann and Robert Rubenstein owners , Mary Sweigel manager

1965: Falls Quick Wash and Dry Cleaning, Albert Dohmen owner

1971: Falls Quick Wash and Dry Cleaning, Willard Durand owner

1976: Falls Quick Wash and Dry Cleaning, Louise Durand owner

1979: Falls Quick Wash and Dry Cleaning, Roy Brunner owner

1983: Falls Quick Wash and Dry Cleaning, Ralph Madden owner

1990: Pam’s Quick Wash and Dry Cleaners, Craig and Pam Kelly owners

This is one of the few buildings in Chippewa Falls to host a single business during its lifetime.

Thanks for tuning in and be aware I always welcome additions or corrections

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

04/21/2026

Now that nice weather has arrived, genealogist will be out traveling and working on genealogy projects. Prior to hitting the road, be sure to do your research prior to arriving to your destination. Places might have policies such as no cellphones, no pen policy (use pencils!), no open drinks, bags set aside or placed in lockers.

04/17/2026

Have a good weekend!

04/15/2026

DB’s 2026 Bluelight Special #15
611 North Bridge Street

Here’s an address that houses a business which is near and dear to the hearts of many, and not just Chippewa Falls natives. Folk travel from near and far to enjoy Olson’s Ice Cream.

The 1874 aerial view of Chippewa Falls depicts a two story building on this lot. Although I can’t trace the buildings earliest origin, it’s highly likely that it served as a boarding house. The lumbering business was in full swing.

1885: The first mention of purpose and ownership shows George LeDuc operated a boarding house/ saloon here

The 1895 Chippewa Falls City Directory records this as the A. Cardinelle residence

1907: Mrs. Edmeare Morency operated a dress making shop. She lived on the second floor, as did John Cornelier

1911: Charles Dodge now operates a repair shop here, but the object of his repair work isn’t specified

1914: The Oscar Martin furniture repair shop. It’s very possible Charles Dodge ( the previous owner) operated a like venue.

August 1920: The Honorable Thomas B. Roycraft had the existing building razed and erected an automobile garage; I couldn’t ascertain whether it was repair or sales. At this point, the structure houses both 609 & 611 North Bridge Streets and the addresses seem to be used interchangeably for the next several years. Newspaper advertisements record the same business at either address.

June 1921: Willard Battery Station, T. P. Morgan proprietor

January 1922: The Chippewa Falls Storage Battery Company purchased the Willard Battery Service and continued to handle the Willard Battery brand. Guy Jules and Frith Davidson managers.

1929: Fox Motor Company and Fox Filling Station, Hugh Fox owner.

1934: Automotive Service Company, Charles and Carl Borneman owners.

December 1936: John A. McGillivray purchased 611 North Bridge Street and remodeled it into a dairy plant. It officially opened April 6, 1937.

March 1944: Albert and Martha Olson, who previously operated Olson’s Cafe at 307 North Bridge Street, purchased the McGillivray Dairy and on the 14th opened the business known as Creamland Dairy.

1979: Howard Olson, Albert and Martha’s son, becomes president of Olson’s Creamland Dairy

1991: Howard and his son David are recorded as co- presidents

1996: David Olson is sole president of Olson’s Ice Cream Parlor and Creamland Dairy

2007: Dan and Linda Hunt purchased the Creamland Dairy, and son Jeremy soon joined them

2019: Olson’s Creamland Dairy expands to Eau Claire. They have since opened a seasonal store in Irvine Park as well.

This was a fun one to research, as I was tasting chocolate monster ice cream throughout the journey ❤️

I appreciate your viewing and welcome additions or corrections - I strive for complete and accurate history.

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

04/14/2026

Warm weather has arrived! As genealogist, we will be spending time in cemeteries and going on genealogy adventures. Be sure plan ahead and dress comfortably!

Just a friendly reminder: expect the unexpected.

04/08/2026

DB’s 2026 Bluelight Special #14
36 West Spring Street

This is one of the oldest buildings still standing in Chippewa Falls. The first mention I can find is from August 3, 1872 when George Jenkins, Joseph Crowley, and Ed Wood opened a grocery store here. It is highly likely the building had been destroyed in the fire of 1869, so it would have been constructed between 1869 and 1872. The fact that it is a brick building instead of wood framed reinforces this assumption, as buildings were almost entirely wood framed before the fire, and after they were built of brick.

1883: Christian Blumhardt saloon

1901: Harry Taggart saloon

1907: Patrick Taggart saloon

1911: Daniel Clark saloon

May 1922: Albert W. Kleusch ended the 50 year “saloon run” when he opened the Purity Grocery here, also referred to as the Kleusch Grocery. Henry Willi was the first store manager , and he would eventually operate his own grocery store at 501 Woodward Avenue.

August 1924: Purity Grocery, Nick Kleusch proprietor

November 1926: Purity Grocery, I. B. Myers owner

1934: Harry Hendrickson tavern ( are you noticing a pattern here?)

1937: Carl’s Corner Tavern, Carl Abel proprietor

1940: The Corner Tavern, Leonard Schwartz proprietor

May 1944: Edward G. Ammerman moved his Chippewa Refrigeration Service here from 214 Cobban Street

1945: Ammerman’s Zenith Sales and Service, Ed Ammerman owner

September 1947: The Cozy Cafe, Luella Hendricks owner

1950: Duffy’s Tavern, Alex Ziele and Donald Kierstead owners. Interesting to note that Duffy’s Tavern was actually the title of a popular sit-com at the time.

July 1951: Duffy’s Tavern, Robert Bowe owner, Ervin Wolfe manager

April 1954: Duffy’s Tavern, Andrew Bleskachek owner

January 1956: The Gold Bar, Archie Niesen owner

1961: Archie’s Bar, Archie Niesen owner

1963: The Corner Inn, Edward Dever owner

1965: The Corner Inn, Lloyd Lowe owner

December 1965: Sta Put Inn

This is the last of the “tavern run”,an impressive list of names and owners

January 1970: H & R Block Tax Service

1985: Northwoods Refuse and Sanitary Disposal, Loren Hennekens owner

March 1989: Jane’s Catering, Jane Potter owner

2015: Cory Vajgrt established Current Catering, which occupies the building at present

Thanks for following along, and know that I welcome additions or corrections to any of my posts

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