It's really fun when a pic like this from one of the atlases coincides with a news item(s) we found in the Pierz Journal. This particular instance needs a little background, tho: Originally there was a town named Rich Prairie, which eventually became Pierz in honor of Fr Pierz, the priest.
The towns' people evidently differentiated the north end (Upper Town) from the south end (Lower Town). When the Soo Line railroad came thru south of town, they called the depot area "New Pierz", which, by 1910, became Genola.
We also know that John Schmolke built a store across from the depot...or was it Frank Otremba...or Peter Mueller?
The mystery I found that got us started on Genola was a blurb in the PJ about broken windows in the new building. After that, every mention of Genola businesses seemed like the SAME building. We still don't know, but it looks like we only have six buildings to choose from in the pic (and no, the business district never grew much beyond this. The depot photo was directly across the road from these few stores. just so ya know ☺).
The mystery I found that got us started on Genola was a blurb in the PJ about broken windows in the new building. After that, every mention of Genola businesses seemed like the SAME building. We still don't know, but it looks like we only have six buildings to choose from in the pic (and no, the business district never grew much beyond this. The depot photo was directly across the road from these few stores. just so ya know ☺).
