THIS LOG HOUSE is said to have been Tell City’s first house.

The photo was made when it was being torn down in 1900. It stood where the Frostop now stands on Lot. No. 16 in Block 45 on the southwest corner of Main and Tell streets. This lot was sold on July 13, 1863 by Frank A. and Barbara Henn of Hartford, Conn. to William Kampschaefer. The deed states the lot was conveyed to Henn by The Swiss Colonization Society by a deed recorded on page 324 of Book “U” of deeds in the Perry County Recorder’s Office. The consideration was $60. The man standing in the doorway is Willie Kampschaefer. The men on the right are Dr. Evans, Paul Rossman and Albert Rossman. The men on top of the building are Frank Olberding, Jack Lowry, a colored man named Jackson and Sim Beard.

FRANK J. RESS STORE was one of the early merchandising places of Tell City. This is the building now housing Gamble’s store in the 600 block of Main street. The building on the left of the store is now the A – C Tavern. It was the residence of Mr. Ress and his family when this photo was made about 1896. Note the display of old stoves, both coal and kerosene on the sidewalk in front of the store. There’s also an old fashioned hand-operated washing machine. The name of the store at that time as per the sign was “Tell City Stove & Tin Store.” -(Julius Hanser Photo).