In 1929, the two lumber yards operating in Ridgeway merged to become one, officially changing the name to the Ridgeway Lumber company. The two lumber yards were the Miner & Frees yard, which operated along the railroad behind the hotel and the Crossan-Zingerle Lumber company, which had started out as the Cadle lumber yard in Ridgeway’s early days. Both yards were a vital part of Ridgeway’s economy for many years. The yards were purchased by M. R. Smith of Kansas City who also owned yards in Blythedale, Eagleville, Lamoni and Ford City as well as owning three lumber mills in the state of Washington. Mrs. Martha A. and Charles F. Miner kept some interest in the yards and he planned a cooperative business where the employees would become part owners as well. “It is not known yet whether the sheds will be torn down or the yard goods moved across the street to the new company or whether both yards will be operated.” (Ridgeway Journal, July 25, 1929)
Honoring the past by working together for a better future.
Friday, July 25, 2025
Friday, July 18, 2025
Bit of History -- July 16, 2025
In 1910, the arrival of Halley’s Comet was heralded in the Ridgeway Journal as early as January 27. You could already see the comet on a clear night and as “This comet only appears about every seventy-six years so you had better watch the skies, for, in all probabilities, few of us will live to see it again.” The paper noted that astronomers told everyone that the comet would be at its brightest in May, so there was still time to see it. The article went on to add: It would be interesting to our readers to read its history, but it is too lenghty (sic) to publish in this issue of the Journal.”
On April 21, 1910, the Journal did publish a much longer article about Halley’s Comet with a great deal more detail about the most recent journey around the Earth at the time. The comet was expected to be at its closest to the Earth on May 18 when it would be the most visible in the evening sky. At the end of the article, readers were told “The thing to do is to hold tight, don't lose courage, and keep your eyes open. For you're likely to see things you can tell about to your grandchildren.”
The comet returned in 1986 and a new generation turned out to see it. My husband, Tracy, told me that he and the other members of the senior RHS class of 1986 went out to Tim Williams home to view the comet. They went out to a field far away from any lights to view the comet with their advisor Mr. Leeth. Tracy thought the whole experience was “very cool” and unforgettable.
Friday, July 11, 2025
Bit of History -- July 9, 2025
A few articles in the July 4, 1902 edition of the Ridgeway Journal may have piqued the interest of the paper’s readers. The paper reported that a new set of hitch racks had been installed just north of Grinstead & Gee’s store. “The new posts are very heavy and should last a long time. A chain had replaced the old rails to tie to.” The editors suggested that more improvements like this would be a “good thing.”
The paper also reported that the Board of Aldermen had passed two new ordinances. The first was that all residents must pay a tax for each dog on their premises. The tax on male dogs was $1 and the tax on females was $2. Dog owners were required to go to the City Collector to pay the taaxes.
The second ordinance also regarded taxes: “all telephone companies, or all owners of said phone lines, with. in the corporate limits of the said City of Ridgeway, are required to pay a license of $10 per year, and also every telephone pole within the corporation of said City are taxed twelve and one-half cents per year.” Anyone with questions needed to call the mayor and “become familiar with the laws.”.
Friday, July 4, 2025
Bit of History -- July 2, 2025
On June 1, 1915, the men in Ridgeway and the surrounding area celebrated a funny kind of event: Road Dragging Day. The business men in town called area farmers asking if they would come to town and help drag the local roads coming into Ridgeway to smooth them out. The farmers agreed and “They came, they dragged, they were furnished free entertainment and went home happy.”
Sixty-nine men and boys brought seventy-five teams and about 45 road drags and scrapers showed up to help with the work. They represented seven townships: Jefferson, Union, Marion, Madison, Trail Creek, Sherman and Grant. They got their dinners from the Switzer and Winkler restaurants and the good people at the Lazear livery fed and cared for the horses.
After the dinner, the workers were entertained with music and a “movie” show at the Rex theater. They could also play at the box ball ally. J. W. Leazenby spoke and “made a cracking" good roads speech which was much appreciated and received with marked attention. Photographs were taken of all the men as a group and individuals with their teams and drags.
“Before returning home, the ‘men with the drags’ decided that we city folks did not keep our streets in the proper shape and proceeded to show us how the trick was done. They dragged Main street until it was as smooth as glass, they dragged down Popular street and back on Pine, up on maple street and down on Vine” until all the streets in Ridgeway were in a “most excellent shape.” (Ridgeway Journal, June 8, 1915).