Rio Area Historical Society

In 1941, Bert Shew, Earl Bennett and Ted Christopher, who are employed at Erie, Illinois, spent the week-end at their homes in Rio. Harold Krohnke of Madison is in charge of Molstad Drug Store this week.

In 1951, Gerold Tracy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Tracy, left with the National Guard for 2 weeks encampment at Camp Ripley in Little Falls, Minnesota. Pfc. Eugene Ritter is now stationed with the Air Force in Germany. Don Roche of Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, spent the week-end with parents Mr. and Mrs. Robert Roche. Some 35 Mexicans from Waupun weeded beets at the Russell Moore farms in his sugar beet fields.

In 1961, Harold Sanden and Harvey Paulson attended a Braves baseball game in Milwaukee. The Otsego ball team enjoyed a BBQ Sunday evening at the Roy Stilson home. Joe and Esther Kehoe and daughter left Monday on a vacation trip to Washington DC.

In 1971, Don and Sally Hohlstein and daughters enjoyed a week vacation in Eagle River, Wisconsin with other relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Dave Bleich, Patricia and Erin returned from a trip through North and South Dakota and Wyoming. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kohlwey attended a family picnic at Cedarburg, with 82 relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Paulson returned after spending 3 weeks at their cabin near Tomahawk. The Rio Home Talent Baseball Team is 1 of 32 teams to play in the State Tourney at Breeze Stevens Field in Madison and their first game is with Oakfield.

The Poynette Press reported in May 1986, that King Jim Severson and Queen Gail Traut reigned over the Rio High School Prom.

Rio began in 1865 when the railroad came through going west and will be 150 years old in 2015. Will there be a birthday celebration?

Submitted by Don Hohlstein

Herman Blankshein was badly injured while returning from Robert Bergers in Springvale, where he and his wife had attended a wedding anniversary. Upon starting, the horses became unmanageable, as the neck yoke became detached from one of the horses. He told his wife to...

In 1957 Mr. and Mrs. Daniel W. Hall observed the grand opening of their new clothing store in Rio. The new building is located right next door to the old store that was in the Benson Building. They were truly a Rio success story outgrowing the first building in under five years. They decided to construct a new building and design it themselves taking an active part in the actual construction of the building. In fact they sealed and painted both the interior and exterior of the building themselves.

Danny was born...

The 91st Annual Rio Alumni Banquet will be held Saturday June 09, 2012 at the Rio High School. Fellowship 5:30pm to 6:03pm, Banquet at 6:30pm.

Erv and Erna Liechtle purchased the bowling alley September 2, 1948. They were very nice people. They actually seemed to enjoy the kids that hung out there although I am not sure why. I guess looking back we were not all that bad at least not in the late 50's to mid 60's when I was around. 

You can see the railing in the photo behind Erv that was around a cement stairs that went down to the basement. The kids, mostly the boys use to sit on the railing and watch the cars and people. (Today I am sure this would not be allowed but I don't ever remember anyone getting hurt).

Inside the bowling alley the bar was on the right with a full mirror behind it. Just around the corner...

A fire of undetermined origin gutted the Tobi Bar in Rio early the morning of November 11, 1969.

Only the brick shell of the building was still standing despite the combined efforts of Rio and Fall River volunteer departments.

The alarm was sounded at 3:15 a.m. And the Fall River firefighters arrived to assist about 15 minutes later.  The alarm was turned in by Kenneth Bartz, who lives just east of the tavern on Union Street.   He

saw the flames when he got up with one of his children during the night.

The fire was believed to have started toward the rear of the building and was blazing up through the roof at the time it was seen. It was believed that smoking materials may have been disposed of in a waste basket but that was not confirmed.  The building was insured but no estimate of damages was available.

According to the wife of the fire chief, Mrs. Lyle Benzine, the blaze had a good start before it was detected.  The fire was extinguished by about 4:30 a.m. But they continued to pour water on the building for several hours after that.

The tavern was formerly known as Stan and Marlene's but was leased earlier this year by William Pfister of Madison and was operated as “Tobi's”.  The building was owned by Mrs. Anne Hartley of Rio.

Property on either side of the building was not damaged because of the brick walls of the Hartley Building and the metal on the walls of the Hardware store just a few feet away.

Submitted by Darlene Lerum