Conger House History
Last updated 24 April 2023
Timeline of Conger House History
Note:Click on photos to enlarge the pictures.
Thomas Ritchey built the original three-story house with three rooms in 1847-48. The property was 77 acres and was one quarter mile east of Washington.
The back door on the southeast corner of the Conger House opens into the orginal Ritchey house. Mr. Ritchey was one of the first settlers in Washington County. He served as one of three commissioners who selected Washington as the site for the County seat in 1839.
In 1855, following the death of Mr. Ritchey, Nathan Littler (Ritchey's step-son) sold the farm to Jonathan Clark Conger. In later years Littler authored the book, "History of Washington County, 1835-1875."
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| Sketch of the Thomas Ritchey House by Edna Jones | Back steps of the Conger House in 2021. |
Jonathan Clark and Jane Conger purchased the farm in 1855. He started adding to the house before the civil war, and completed it in 1868. Conger owned a boot making business and invested in land. He and Jane had four daughters; Medora Mitchell, Clara Wilson, Marietta Stanton and Florence Twining. Two sons died at age three.
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| Sketch by Edna Jones of the Jonathan Clark Conger House as it appeared circa 1868. | July 4, 1898. The Conger House was decorated for a fete to raise money for soldiers of Compnay D, 30th Inf., going to fight in the Spanish American war. The man on the sidewalk, center, is Col. C. J. Wilson. | July 4, 1898. Another view of the decorated Conger House. |
After the death of Jonathan Conger, Clara and Colonel C. J. Wilson began remodeling the house in 1906. At this time the den was added on the west side, a wall removed from the Conger Room, the dining room was remodeled and the exterior brick was cemented over. There are 23 rooms and 7 fireplaces in the house.Colonel C. J. Wilson was a lawyer and a Colonel on the Governor's Honor Guard for more than 30 years. The home became a social center of Washington. He and Clara were the parents of four children: Helen "Pasty" Wilson, Edith Lytle, Carlton Wilson and Kathryn Smith. Col. Wilson died in 1936 and the house was vacant for many years.
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| South side of the house. C. J. Wilson's peony bushes, early 1900s. Note: 9th Ave is not built yet, it will run between the two homes. | Front and west side of the house. | South side of the house. The privy may be seen in the far right corner. |
From about 1946 to 1952, the house became home to the Pines Supper Club. The Pines was owned by Joseph A and Esther L. Picken
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| The sign is up for the Pines Resturant. |
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| Grand Opening - Washington Evening Journal, September 20, 1946 | Pines for Steak - Washington Evening Journal, August 27, 1951 | Closing Out Sale - Washington Evening Journal, June 30, 1952 |
From 1952 to 1972, it was the site of the Pines Nursing Home. John Rittenhouse became owner of the building and Mrs. Ann Trojovsky was the rest home operator. The rest home had the capacity of 16 patients. In 1958, Carrie M. Stump purchased the Pines Rest Home and also purchased the equipment.In 1970, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Smith of Muscatine took over proprietorship in September 1970. Mrs. Stump remained on as the manager.
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| Ready to Serve - Washington Evening Journal, September 25, 1952 | Open for Business - Washington Evening Journal, September 25, 1952 |
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| Left to right: Katherine Keifer (Cook) and Ann Trojovsky (Owner). Photo is courtsey of Rachel Nicola. | Left to right: Most of the Pines Staff - Unknown, Mina Brennan, Katherine Keifer, Martha Nicola, Unknown, Georgia Westen. Photo is courtsey of Rachel Nicola. |
In 1972 the house was purchased by Stephen and Ruth Viggers. Following their purchase began an extensive restoration with the assistance of Helen Wilson and volunteers from the community. It was opened to the public in 1973 as the Jonathan Clark Conger House Museum. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Since 1989, the Washington County Historical Society assumed responsibility for the care of the house now known as the Conger House Museum.
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| Conger House Museum circa 1973 | Conger House Museum, view from the west side with the cairn | Conger House Museum postcard |
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