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©  1998-2001
Gernon House

808 Kansas Street

Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend

                           Saturday 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
                          Sunday 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM


 Off season visits and tours are welcomed and may be scheduled any time by calling the Russell Historical Society or Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

 

 

Nicholas Gernon, one of the first colonists to settle Russell, built Gernon House in 1872. In 1871, Gernon, a blacksmith by trade, and a catholic, came with several Congregationalist families from Ripon, Wisconsin to establish a new community. Gernon and other colonists lived in the railroad boxcars that brought them until they could build their homes.

Due to the lack of available trees and lumber, the colonists were forced to use the abundant limestone for construction.  Some of these homes are in service today as well as the courthouse, Fossil Station Museum, Heym-Oliver House, schools and other prominent buildings. The walls measure up to 24-inches thick.  Several sidewalks were laid using limestone and are still visible today.

The house has been beautifully restored to its original condition and is a “must see” for visitors.  The Gernon’s Blacksmith Shop site is adjacent to the house.

 

The Gernon House is beautifully furnished in 1880’s style furniture as well as fixtures and accessories.

All period items on display in the Gernon house were used by families in the area during the late 1800's.

Gernon Kitchen Stove