River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-07-29
SOMETHING LIKE A BOOM!
Enterprise and Public Spirit Crop
ping Out in River Falls.
Indications of Prosperity and Flu
ture Greatness Plainly Visible.

a N after worthy or special mention TO
see unusual activity in those enter
prises which go TO make up the pros
perity of community; but when
everything looks so gloomy as at pres
ent, with crops half devoured by
drought and insects, grain low in
price, trade dull and discouraging, and
Farmers" aud "tradesmen" all feel.
ing that for the coming year there is
but little on which to build hope, or
from which to draw consolation, it is
certainly worthy of notice to see any
community pushing on as if all was
well, preparing for good times to
come, investing money already gar
nered in prosperous days gone by,
erecting substantial business blocks,
furnishing work for those who need
it and distributing capital for the gen.
eral welfare.
Such action on the part of any indi-
vidual, or set of individuals, is an
indication of their confidence in the
future Of the place in which they live,
and exhibits in them a spirit of COM
mendable enterprise for which every
good citizen will be thankful and
ready to give evidence of wholesome
appreciation.
With the opening of spring the peo-
pie of River Falls had but little reason
to anticipate anthing like boom in
the building line, or that improve
ments of any kind would be under
taken this season, from the fact that
spring business opened slowly, mer-
chants were not singing little melodies
of thanksgiving to indicate their in
ward satisfaction, commercial travel
ers (as general thing true business
thermometers) wore Grape on their
hats when they left our city, and
everything seemed to indicate that a
dull, unsatisfactory season was upon
us, and that there would be plenty of
time for all to chew the "cud" of
idleness, or while away the lonely
hours in piscatorial adventures in the
rural districts.
At this writing, with the summer
but little over half gone, and in spite
of the unusually dry weather which
has prevailed, and the evil reports
from all quarters relative to crops,
prices of produce, and business gener-
ally, we are able to say that River
Falls has had splendid season in
business, which gives no sign of abate-
ment, and is in the midst of building
boom quite unusual in small city.
We can now rejoice in the fact that
our men of business are full of enter
prise and courage, and by their
generous spirit have forced business
activity, and that men who in the past
have husbanded their profits and
thereby garnered surplus funds. have
stepped forward and given proof of
their confidence in the future of our
city, by investing their money in the
erection of some of the best buildings
ever built in River Falls. Some of
these buildings are now nearing CON-
pletion, the foundations of others are
being laid, and while we are enabled
thus to participate in the general
rejoicing over secured prosperity and
permanent upbuilding of our little
city, we deem it propitious time to
mention somewhat in detail the new
enterprises and the men who have so
nObly undertaken them.
On the west side OF Main street near
the post-oflice, and adjoining the Gen.
trail Hotel owned by him, Mr.. Frank
Rossell has erected large brick and
stone building of the most substantial
kind. The walls of this building are
of stone, except the front which is of
pressed brick with dressed stone
trimmings, all resting on heavy stone
foundation. The building is three
stories high above an ample basement,
the two upper stories sustained in
front by heavy iron pillars. and sur
mounted by beautiful iron cornice.
Under the supervision of Mr.. Charles
Knowles the workmanship is of the
very best character, and the structure
when completed will be valuable,
cOmmodious and beautiful affair. 1t
is to be used as hotel, except one
half of the first story which will be
used for mercantile purposes. This
building is happily situated, as Mr..
Rossell owns the ground north, south
and west of it, so that extensions can
be INDUCED in without stint whenever
they may be demanded.
Still further to the south about a
square) Mr.. N. A. Thelander has
erected large three story building
brick-veneered, in front of and at
tached to the old rink, the object of
which is to have hotel and theatre
combined. The old rink is large, ca
pable of seating several hundred PEG.
pie, and Mr.. Thelander is converting
it into a first.class hall for musical
and theatrical purposes, in combina.
ton with his hotel which he has built
in front. The new building will be,
when completed, a beautiful structure
containing many commodious rooms,
and the theatre will have the advant-
age so highly priced, OF being on the
first floor, where ingress is easy-and
from which rapid egress can be made
in case of fire.
The Bank of River Falls is also en-
larging its borders by adding another
story with handsome brick and stone
front, and extending the entire build
ing back by large stone addition so
as to give more room for business and
provide large hall for the use Of the
Free Masons. When completed this
will be one Of the largest, and among
the most substantial blocks on Main
street; and like the others mentioned
will be living proof of the enterprise |
of our citizens who have surplus !
money, and OF their confidence in the |