Hillyer business house, later hotel, opens in 1880

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

The July 24, 1880, issue of the Valley Falls New Era reported on improvements made in the town during the spring and summer. Among those built and finished and about ready for occupation was the business house planned by M.P. Hillyer.

The business, located on the southwest corner of Broadway and Sycamore streets, was 60 x 25 feet on the ground with a basement and two stories above. The basement, 10 feet high, was used as a barber shop and storeroom. The second story was to be occupied as a banking house 14 feet high.

A brick and iron vault was installed and excellenty lighted. Front windows were large and composed of five French plate glass each. The upper story, owned by the Valley Falls Lodge, F.A.M., was 15 feet and used as a lodge room. It was divided into a hall 48 x 22 feet and used as an ante and preparation room.

The wall of the building were of stone on the rear and west side, and on the front and east of brick, and finished with a heavy cornice. Eventually, the structure was enlarged and 12 or 14 rooms were added and it was known as the Hillyer House or Hillyer Hotel, famous for its elegance and well-known clientele.

The Valley Falls Historical Society Museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 21.

Early setbacks caused by Mother Nature

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

No one said it would be easy, settling a small town and community. Mother Nature played her role in pioneer days along with border ruffians and horse thieves.

A sundry of items from newspaper articles and historical publications reveal the hardships and damages the pioneers endured.

The prosperity of the county was seriously retarded by the big drought of 1860. The crop yield was almost an entire failure. There was no small grain raised and very little corn.

In May 1872 there were heavy rains, which flooded the streams and much damage was done to growing crops. Many places were covered with water for many days.

In the summer of 1874, just as the harvest of small grain was being completed, the grasshoppers appeared in immense numbers. They came down on fields in myriads and within three days the fields of corn and every other thing that was yet green was destroyed.

On June 8, 1875, a severe storm of wind and rain passed over the county and did considerable damage to growing crops and demolished many farm buildings.

April 10, 1882, news clipping: "Valley Falls was visited by a very severe hail storm Friday night about 11 o'clock, which not only broke every window on the south side of every house but ruined nearly every iron and tin roof in town.

"Some of the stones weighed over a pound. They came down thick and fast injuring fruit trees and small gardens. There is not a business house in town that was not more or less damaged. The roofs on the Hillyer bank building were ruined. The plate glass in one of the bank buildings was ruined while another was cracked. "Old settlers say it was the worst hail storm they had ever seen."

The Valley Falls Historical Society museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Piazzek changed Polish name, changed it back

by Betty Jane Wilson, society president

Grasshopper Falls was not unique in its history of name change. One of the founders of the town also had an experience in changing his name. The Polish name Piazzek was not easily remembered or pronounced by patrons of Joe Piazzek's grist mill, so many began calling him "Joe the Miller."

About the time the name of the town was changed to Sautrelle in 1863, he decided it would be advisable to have his named changed to Joe Miller.

At his request, the change was made by the Legislature; however, before long an estate was to be settled in his home country and no one named Miller was eligible for Piazzek's share.

After some consideration on his part, he induced the Legislature to make his name Piazzek again.

The source of this came from a March 10, 1943, Vindicator in a letter from Edward Baumgardner, Lawrence.

Photos of the pioneer miller and his mills are on permanent display at the Valley Falls Historical Society Museum. The museum will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.