Botsford Lumber Co.

In 1954, a sign went up in a window of the Botsford Lumber Co., which had been located for decades at the corner of Center Street and First Avenue Southwest.

The sign, visible in this photo, informs customers that Botsford had moved to its new location at 10 9 ½ St. SE. From there, the company would continue to sell not only lumber and building materials, but also coal for homes and businesses. “For good coal,” the company’s advertising said, “use Botsford’s chemical processed peerless, only a bushel of ashes to a ton.”

When the lumber building was removed, the lot on which it had stood became Parking Lot No. 1, for the expanding Kahler Hotel. The 1954 addition to the Kahler is seen under construction to the right of this photo. When completed, the new wing of the Kahler added 257 guest rooms, as well as the Hemisphere Room, the Dutch-themed Coffee House and enlarged baking and kitchen facilities, all at a cost of $4 million.

The former site of the Botsford Lumber Co. is occupied today by Victoria’s restaurant.

History Center of Olmsted County