PHOTO OF THE DAY: BACK IN THE DAY

The photo and following description was posted on Facebook by Heritage Hall Museum & Archives Monday morning, Aug. 12.

We know this building on the northeast corner of Fourth and Poplar as the Freeman Senior Citizens Center. It’s been home to the organization since 1971. But before that, it was known as the Freeman Wood Products Company.

A special section of the Aug. 12, 1954, Freeman Courier – exactly 70 years ago today, BTW – included a special section marking the 75th anniversary of the 1879 arrival of the railroad that established Freeman. A listing of businesses includes details about the Freeman Wood Products Company.

“In 1951, J.(John) D. Unruh and L. (Louis) H. Linscheid organized the Freeman Wood Products Company in their newly built brick building. A complete line of power tools was installed … to specialize in all types of wood products for the home, school, church or business.

“Over 50 customers ordered cabinets that have been built and installed in homes, locally and over a wide area. The firm has placed cabinets in Yankton, Winner, Mitchell, Wagner, For Pierre, Chamberlain and even north of Watertown.

“When they (Linscheid and Unruh) organized the Freeman Wood Products Company they hoped to build a business which would employ a few people and possibly keep some young folks in the community at home. Long-range plans call for expansion.”

In his book, “As I Recall,” John D. Unruh writes that the business grew and hired Alfred Miller and Phil Kreihbeil to work with them. Unruh’s partnership with Louis H. Linscheid (his brother-in-law) continued until 1958 when he sold his interest to Linscheid. He describes his six years in the business as “a wholesome experience for me. Financially, they were much less productive than they could have been.”

The business continued into the 1960s; it’s unclear when it closed but we know it was prior to March 1971; that’s when the Freeman Senior Citizens Center purchased the property. The eastern portion has remained home to the organization; the western portion has been use by a variety of businesses including a dentist’s office, law office and currently, Ida Mae’s County Massage.

Newspapers and books in our archives provide key details in fleshing out the history of this community and we enjoy doing the research and sharing it with you.