Ferry Hill House

12/22/2021

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Look for new historical posts in 2022.

08/18/2021

Here is the link to the Gateway Swim Team Stories video featuring former Ferry Hill House residents Wendy Lansbach Boglioli and Laurie Lansbach Lehner.

Wendy Lansbach Boglioli and Laurie Lansbach Lehner talk about their involvement with the Gateway Swim Team of Land O’ Lakes, Wisconsin. This was a Land O’ La...

08/06/2021

The Land O' Lakes Historical Society is hosting a program on the Gateway Swim Team. Come listen to Wendy Lansbach Boglioli and Laurie Lansbach Lehner speak about their experiences. The Lansbach Family lived in the Ferry Hill House in the early 1960's.

07/05/2021

Did you read the article in the Border Bulletin on the book project for the house? Help us get more info and photos on the history of the house. Check it out in the link below on page 8.

07/05/2021

Boy Scouts!!! Both Rev. Claude Warren and Rev. Fred Babcock were both Boy Scout leaders during their time living in the house. Many Boy Scout meetings took place in the parsonage. Rev.Babcock would also hold scout dinners on a regular basis in the home. Rev. Babcock worked with the scouts long after his retirement.

05/30/2021

The second resident of the house was Rev. Fred I. Babcock and the playground located in Memorial Park is named after him.

04/17/2021

The small windows on the front right corner of the house are in the home's stairwell. From the pictures you can see the windows and what the stairwell looks like from the inside of the house. This area includes the front entryway and closet (under the stairs) as well.

03/21/2021

House on wheels!! Did you know the house was moved? In 1999 the house was moved from its location on the Ely Memorial Church property to its current location. (Photo courtesy of the LOL Historical Society)

02/27/2021

Although no builder of the house has been identified, we do know that the lumber came from the Benson’s Lumber Yard located in Land O’ Lakes. We know this because some of the lumber and the trim is stamped “JOHN BENSON LAND O’ LAKES WIS”.
John Benson owned lumberyards in both Eagle River and Land O’ Lakes. He served as town chairperson of Eagle River for one year from 1916 to 1917. He also served as the town chairperson of State Line (Land O' Lakes) from 1921 to 1926. Mr. Benson was voted into the state assembly representing Iron and Vilas counties in 1930. He suffered a stroke on December 17th, 1930, before taking office.

02/20/2021

The fireplace is the centerpiece of the house. Every past resident that I have talked to has mentioned it. It is made of rough white, pink, and reddish-brown granite with tons of mica that reflect the light. The mantel is formed out of the same rock with a tile top. The stones are pointed in a rope like fashion. The top of the fire box opening is arched. The hearth is level with the floor and red brick in color. This photo was taken in 2013 and the wood stove insert has since been removed.

02/13/2021

In 1935 Rev. Claude Warren left Land O' Lakes for Barboo, WI. Rev. Fred Babcock took over as pastor of the church and moved into the parsonage. A short time later his sister Lillian and brother-in-law William Babcock (same last name but no relation) moved into the home with him. This photo was taken in front of the house sometime in the 1940's. Rev. Babcock is on the right. (Photo courtesy of the Land O' Lakes Historical Society)

02/07/2021

The house was built for Reverend Claude W. Warren and his family. He was the first permanent pastor in State Line (Land O' Lakes). This is a photo of Warren family in front of the house in the summer of 1930 or 1931. (Photo courtesy of the Land O' Lakes Historical Society)