History

The Waudby building is on the National Register for its distinctive characteristics of Victorian-era commercial buildings.  The Northwestern Colony from Ripon, Wisconsin founded the city of Russell in 1871.  The Waudby Building No. 1 was constructed in 1885-86 using limestone, iron trim for doors and windows, brick and large glass windows.  The Victorian design of the building gave a new look to Russell’s Main Street.

The Storyline

The buildings located at 719 and 713 N. Main Street gives the appearance of being one building.  W.E. Banks was the original owner of 719 N. Main and established the “The Square Hardware Store” which opened March 5, 1886.  In a drawing of the building, post office is printed above the door.

The E.W. Shutt & Co. became the successor to “The Square Hardware Store” in January 1888.  In December 1888, a fire started in the basement of the building and much damage was done to the building.  It is assumed that much of the building was destroyed.  In 1889, lights were put in the building and ready to be reopened.

In February 1890, the Russell Hardware Company opened for business.  W.E. Banks, A.C. Geer and WM. Greer were the owners of the business.  In the ensuring years the businesses using the building were agricultural implements, hand printing shop, grocery store and offices.  In 1896, the building was again listed as Post Office.  Theodore Ackerman, Charles and Leland Copeland paid the taxes from 1889 to 1923.  Ackerman and Leland Copeland started the first pioneer bank in 1873.  They were very prominent on Russell’s Main Street.  J.W. Blair paid the taxes in 1924 and 1925.  Blair built a furniture store north of 719 N. Main Street so the building was used for commercial trade.

The second story was the home of the I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) No. 119 Hall in the early years of the building and meetings were held there.  According to “The Russell Record,” May 6, 1920, they were the oldest secret order in Russell.

Oil was discovered in Russell County in 1923 and this changed the social and economic structure of the county.  Oil field workers were looking for recreation in their spare time.  To meet this need, in 1926, Alfred Waudby purchased the building at 719 N. Main Street.  A pool hall was established in the building in 1926.  Alfred sold the business to Chester Roberts and Lester Ingram for period of two years, 1935-1937.  It remained a pool hall during this period of time using Brunswick equipment.  Alfred and his son Francis reopened their pool hall business in May 1937 and the business remained until the death of Francis in 1985.  Of artistic significance are two scenic murals painted on the inside of the building.  One mural depicts a mountain scene with a lake in spring or summer and the other is a winter scene.  A transient painter, named “Gesser,” painted the murals in 1939.  Rick Rupp restored the murals in 2004.  No structural changes were made to the building.  It remains today much as it was in the early part of the 20^th century.

It is not certain when the upper level became living quarters.  Chester Waudby and his wife lived in the apartment in the 1930s and ran a beauty shop in the premises.  Chester Waudby lived in the apartment until 1987 even after the passing of his wife in 1967.

The property could not be sold until the passing of Chester’s pet pigeon.  It was fed and lived in the building for several years and upon its death, Chester eventually sold the building to Richard Cross on April 16, 1987.

The history and design of one of Russell’s early day buildings will be preserved for future generations.  Generations of Russell residents remember the building as Waudby’s Pool Hall.