PLACEHOLDER Black walnut chair from the Grant House, later called Hotel Waseca, built about 1882 by a relative of General Grant. The hotel burned on Sunday, April 26, 1970. At that time it was owned by Jerry Nelson. There were 40 rooms plus the penthouse. Five departments fought the fire: Waseca, Janesville, New Richland, Owatonna and Waterville. The destruction was total. The chair was purchased from the Hotel Waseca by Herb Noetzel for 50 cents. We had it restored and it was caned by David Noetzel at the age of 13. It was part of a merit badge he earned to become an Eagle Scout. The site of the hotel was purchased and the Ben Franklin store was built there.
