Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-06-01
THE RoNpo Hous.
Ct Pauis Oldest Structure still Standing
on Summit Avenue.


sum init Avenue-
When Joseph Rnndo. in the year 1843.
erected cabin 14x16. of hewn oak logs.
filed in with adobe. on the claim that
he had purchased three years previous
of Edward Phe.an. he did not think
that he was erecting a Building that in
the year 1887 would stand within 80
feet of the handsomest street in the
city of St. Paul-viz., Summit avenue.
and that would be passed daily by
thousands of people. unconscious of
either its proximity or its history Yet
such is the fact Numerous buildings
in the city have, during the past six
years. been designated as " the oldest
house in ST. Paul." while this little
structure. modestly shielded from an
inquisitive public. maintained in silence
its title wroagfully bestowed upon other
Anticipated and dilapidated houses The
residents on Summit avenue. and par
ticulsrly those living in close proximity
to Summit park. will undoubtedly be
surprised to learn that the house right
fully called 1.-THE oldest house in St
I Paul." is located in that vicinity. The
building. as already stated. was built
and occupied by Joseph Rondo in 1913.
and was his habitation, rs shown by Of
fetal records. until 1855. when he sold
1t and the four acres of ground
composing his demesne to the late John
Nicols. In 1856 Mr.. Nicols removed
the old house from its original location
20 the eastern part of the property, and
erected in its stead the substantial and
commod:ons stone building now known
as the Nicols homestead. Contrary Il
the usual practice, Mr.. Nicols did no
pull down the old Rondo house. bu
rather preserved it by Incorporating l
into a barn that was erected aroun'
: snd above il Recently it WAS tn
, pleasure of reporter to discover tn
old relic, and By the courtesy of Johr
!. r. Nicols, who succeeded his father a
J partner in the firm of Nicois s Dean
!, have access to family documents tina
: establish beyond doubt the claims Sc
+ forth for the r ,ndo house. The midi
door on the south side Of the barr open
: directly into the old house. which. eN
cent where the adobe has fal,el out,
in nearly as good state OF prescrv'
ton rs when erected. The timbers 81
of oak. and plainly show the marks
the ak with which they were hewe'
Those on the sides are cross-sectiOne
and all the Intervening space arour
the room. excepting the doors an
windows, filed with adobe. compass
of broken limestone as the fonndatio
cemented together with mortar. II
original roof. as an examination OF Il
u hay NOW will show. has been remov'
and the barn roof substituted thereto
IN In this connection it may be well
state when Mr.. NieOls purchased q
.. property, consisting Al that time of 70
acres. it WAS regarded by his friends
a foolish venture. several of them pr
!" dieting that lit would never be wor
. the price paid for it (sL2Jl),
it was too far out Of town. \
= Nicnls vas obliged to break n IT.
through the hazel brush from ST. a
thony street Summit avenue) oS
ri which to haul the material for his dive
NJ ing.-Sl Pad Glohs
n A Millerstown (O) young m
not long since wrote two postal cal
on entirely different subjects. He II
turned them over and addressed the
but BY mistake placed the addresses
! the wrong cards The result WAS q