The Journal reported Mr. L.A. Shearer established his new residence here in October 1871, “and a very tasty and ornate [house] it is, too.” The paper noted that an “improvement in the class of buildings in town during the past two years is encouraging. Now no one thinks of putting up anything but a durable, if not elegant, building.” Later, the house was occupied by Munson Lee, the son of Thomas J. Lee who founded Lee Industries, which is still a thriving company in town today.