A Walk Through Time: Life in River Falls When the Freeman House Was Built (1908)
The Freeman House, built in 1908, stands as more than just an architectural gem in River Falls—it’s a window into what life was like in this small Wisconsin town at the turn of the 20th century【10†source】. To understand the home’s story, we need to step back in time and imagine River Falls in the early 1900s.
River Falls in 1908
In the early 1900s, River Falls was a growing community along the Kinnickinnic River, supported by agriculture, small businesses, and the presence of the State Normal School (today known as the University of Wisconsin–River Falls). The town had weathered economic ups and downs—like the wheat collapse of the 1890s—and was beginning to stabilize with the rise of dairy farming and new industries.
Electricity, indoor plumbing, and central heating were starting to become available in homes, including the Freeman House, making life more modern than in the decades before. Yet, River Falls was still a tight-knit, small-town community, where social life revolved around churches, schools, local businesses, and civic organizations.
The Freeman Family
The Freeman family, prominent local druggists, played a major role in the community. Roscius S. Freeman, who built the house with his wife Lydia, had run one of the first licensed pharmacies in Wisconsin since the 1870s. By 1908, their son Roscius “Rosh” Freeman was stepping into leadership of the family business, which had become a cornerstone of Main Street commerce【10†source】.
The Freemans weren’t just business leaders—they were active in social and civic life, hosting gatherings, supporting local clubs, and engaging in the cultural heartbeat of River Falls. Their new home reflected not only success, but also their place in the fabric of the community.
Everyday Life Around the Freeman House
Imagine the streets around North Third Street in 1908: horse-drawn carriages still clip-clopped past, though automobiles were beginning to make an appearance. Children played along tree-lined boulevards, neighbors gathered on porches to visit, and the Kinnickinnic River powered both industry and recreation.
Inside the Freeman House, modern comforts like a central heating system and spacious walk-in closets set it apart from older homes. Its elegant windows filled rooms with natural light, and the grand staircase became a centerpiece of family life.
Why It Matters Today
More than 100 years later, the Freeman House allows us to experience a slice of this past. Staying here is not just about enjoying a historic home—it’s about connecting with the history of River Falls itself. Guests walk the same halls, admire the same windows, and feel the same sense of community that the Freeman family once did.
The Freeman House is a living reminder that history isn’t locked in museums—it’s something we can step into, experience, and carry with us. When you stay here, you’re not only resting in comfort—you’re walking through time.
