Chippewa County WI Genealogical Society

06/12/2026

Have a great weekend!

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

Your family research may lead you to a name on this chart. What an honor it would be

06/10/2026

DB’s 2026 Bluelight Special #23
226 East Columbia Street

Like most small towns in America, Chippewa Falls has had a plethora of “ mom & pops” grocery stores. And frequently they are operated successively by different families until finally losing the battle with chain grocery stores. This is yet another store in that line.

The 1930 Chippewa Falls Sanborn map shows a vacant lot at this address.

August 1933: Carl G. Johnson and wife Sophie opened a new confectionery and grocery store at 226 East Columbia Street. Previously,since 1923 they had lived with their family next door at 224 East Columbia Street and operated a confectionery store out of their home.

May 1938: Carl was shot at his store during an attempted robbery. The last article I read about this event was from 1942, at which time there were still no arrests or suspects. Newspaper accounts state he never fully recovered physically.

March 1949: Bimil J. and Irene Rynes purchased the business and operated it for a short time as Rynes Grocery

October 1949: Conrad and Kathleen Landsem assumed ownership and opened The Landsem Grocery. Conrad was formerly the Chippewa County Sheriff.

April 1952: Glen and Margaret Ritzinger purchased the business and opened Ritzinger Market. They lived directly south across the street at 225 East Columbia Street.

June 1956: Julius and Ruth Olson became the final owners of this small independent grocery store, opening Olson’s Grocery, which soon was retitled The Pac-A-Sac. They lived two lots north of the store at 416 North Grove Street and Ruth was the daughter of Carl G. Johnson, the original owner. They continued the business until July of 1967.

As always, thank you for viewing and feel free to message me with any additions or corrections.

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

06/09/2026

Don't forget to use Find A Grave. It's easy to use and the best part is it's FREE!

06/09/2026

If you are interested in learning more about how to use the family history software FAMILY TREE MAKER, they will be doing an in-person and virtual presentation on Saturday, June 20th from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library (Riverview Room 306) in Eau Claire, WI.

Join us for an event with Chippewa County GS, Dunn County GS, Genealogical Research Society of Eau Claire, and St. Croix Valley GS.

06/05/2026

Have a good weekend!

06/04/2026

68 years ago today families throughout Chippewa and neighboring counties were assessing the damage caused by the tornado of June 4, 1958. Below is the story of how the Joe & Gladys Swartz and Leonard & Beatrice Swartz farm was affected. This is a re-post of the Week 38 Time Capsule.

06/04/2026

68 years ago today (June 4, 1958), a devastating tornado made it's through Chippewa and neighboring counties. What memories do you or your family have of the tornado and it's aftermath?

What memories do you or your family have of the tornado that went through Chippewa County on this night 62 years ago?

Time Capsule, Week 136: The Tornado of June 4, 1958

This photo shows the extreme damage done to the north side of Chippewa falls when a tornado touched down on the evening of June 4, 1958. Clearly visible are the downed trees in Irvine Park, the Ice Plant buildings were irreparably damaged, the Glen Loch Motel had its roof torn off, damage was done to the building that is currently the Glen Loch Saloon, and trailers were taken off their foundations. Many other areas throughout the county suffered similar damage to property and also loss of life.
Each Saturday, the Chippewa Area History Center showcases a piece of local history in the Herald. The Area History Center at 123 Allen Street, Chippewa Falls has multiple rooms of displays about Chippewa County history and genealogy. Visit www.ChippewaAreaHistoryCenter.org to learn more about the future Chippewa Area History Center and how you can help support local history preservation and education.