Stories:

Story 1: Information from Edward C. Ritchie, February 15, 1996. The former owners date back to when a large tract was owned by Leonora Robinson of the Robinson Circus family. Some time before the Smith's interest in any of the parcel the Robinson Circus occupied the acreage as winter quarters for the Circus animals and equipment. Mrs. Smith explained there were several large barns between our site and Elm Street along the South side of a dirt lane which is now Stanton Avenue. Mrs. Smith explained the circus blacksmith shed sat at the end of our driveway which we can well believe as we have frequently dug up horse shoes, metal rings and various stakes, chains, etc. A large parcel was conveyed to Kessler Smith in March of 1923 by Leonora Robinson to whom Bertha Smith reported she was related (by marriage). [Kessler Smith was Mrs. Leonora S. Robinson's brother. His sister married John G. Robinson - 1 Circus Place.] Mrs. Smith also felt that the famous elephant Tillie is buried somewhere between our property and the railroad, this land now shared with us by Roger and Dinah Winters and Al and Karen Roberts. Mrs. Smith (widow of Kessler Smith) from whom we purchased the property said a small farm house existed on the site but she had no knowledge of when it was built but thought it was between 1915 and 1920.
Story 2: From the deed of sale. When the Ritchie's purchased this property in 1960 it was the last remaining parcel of land owned by H. Kessler Smith at the time of his death out of the larger tract conveyed to him in March, 1923.
Story 3: Inge Ritchie - president T. P. Garden Club 1968-70
Story 4: Edward C. Ritchie was born 1 July 1917 and died 21 September 2003, aged 86 years, Gilligan Funeral Home. Inga N. Ritchie was born 3 February 1919 and died 29 June 1996, aged 77 years. They are both buried in St. Thomas Church Columbarium, Section 2, Niche 53.