Rio Area Historical Society

Rio Area Historical Society Preservation of the history of Rio and the surrounding area

This is the original photo I had of the Midget Kitchen and below is the one I used AI on. I am sure that there should b...
06/08/2026

This is the original photo I had of the Midget Kitchen and below is the one I used AI on. I am sure that there should be the word parking above the In Back but AI did not pick that up. I had that on the one I posted before that said best coffee here. Now the funny part is I asked AI to fix that one to read Ever instead of Here and it won't do it because it says this photo violates the discrimination code. Keep in mind they did the first one so I don't know why but they won't fix it. It has to do with the fact that the name of the building has Midget in it. The added that the first time but not until I explained. I did that this time and they won't fix it. Fortunately the first time I had one done with Ever and one done with Here. I just don't have the word parking above the in back. Apparently AI isn't as smart as it thinks it is. Go figure.

It is official and thanks to Tom Robson for coming up with this. Thank you to everyone who responded and most of you ha...
06/08/2026

It is official and thanks to Tom Robson for coming up with this. Thank you to everyone who responded and most of you had it right.

This may seem like a change in topic but it really isn't. I just found out that after Dahlens Variety Store closed, the...
06/07/2026

This may seem like a change in topic but it really isn't. I just found out that after Dahlens Variety Store closed, the building was owned by Walter and Mary Olson. Did Mary start a restaurant in this building? This would have been in the 1970's after the Midget Kitchen was sold and moved. Karen actually bought the building from Walter and Mary Olson. Any help would be good. Was it a cafe when Karen bought it?

This is Mary and Walter Olson with their daughter Mary Lou who was miss Centennial in 1965 for Rio's 100 year celebratio...
06/07/2026

This is Mary and Walter Olson with their daughter Mary Lou who was miss Centennial in 1965 for Rio's 100 year celebration. She actually came back to join us and ride in the parade. They owned the Midget Kitchen in the 1960's and I believe until it was closed, sold and moved. They owned the business but I believe Al Harris still owned the building. I know Clementine Pauls ran it in the 1950's but don't have exact years for any of that. I saw a photo at one time of Clem in front of the building but it belonged to family and they have been unable to find it.

Duane Nelson, Al Harris, Mary Olson (owner), Tommy Thoe
06/07/2026

Duane Nelson, Al Harris, Mary Olson (owner), Tommy Thoe

Here is the photo cleaned up by AI and I added the missing sign on the left that always said Midget. This will be in my...
06/07/2026

Here is the photo cleaned up by AI and I added the missing sign on the left that always said Midget. This will be in my collection but listed as modified by AI. If we fine the words are wrong they can be changed. I still hope to one day find a good original photo of this building but for now this is as close as I can get.

I have a question for some of you who were around in the 1960's. Do you know what it said over the door to the Midget K...
06/06/2026

I have a question for some of you who were around in the 1960's. Do you know what it said over the door to the Midget Kitchen? I cannot read what it says. I tried AI and it thinks it says Bathroom in the back but that is not correct. Does anyone remember? I worked there and I don't remember but I thought it was something positive.

In 1916 Bert Shew knew how to keep the boys busy. He started a new business that they were in charge of. He ran the El...
06/06/2026

In 1916 Bert Shew knew how to keep the boys busy. He started a new business that they were in charge of. He ran the Electric Light Plant in Rio and thought this would help keep everyone busy.

The Rio Area Historical Society and Vintage Waves Museum were open on Memorial Weekend. We had our oldest visitor to da...
06/04/2026

The Rio Area Historical Society and Vintage Waves Museum were open on Memorial Weekend. We had our oldest visitor to date when Morrie VanSwoll came to visit us from Pardeeville. He is 94 and had a Radio Repair store in Pardeeville. He was thrilled to see all of the Radios that Paul has.

Saturday June 6th starting at 4:30 at the Fire Station in Rio.
06/04/2026

Saturday June 6th starting at 4:30 at the Fire Station in Rio.

Address

126 Lincoln Avenue/P. O. Box 164
Rio, WI
53960

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