In 1904 Albert Leff purchased a ranch southeast of Reeder where he had a coal mine, provided groceries and meals, and built a three-story hotel to accommodate the travelers. He also ran the Leff Stage Line that ran 65 miles to Dickinson, a nine-hour trip one way.
From the fall of 1907 when Milwaukee Railroad officials laid out and named the new Adams County town for a chief engineer E.O. Reeder, to December 1907, when R.A. Lucas built the first building in Reeder, the area burst into activity. In six or seven weeks, a dozen businesses were in place. By spring 1908, that number had grown to thirty-four or more.
Leff Stage Line early 1900's
Reeder Main Street approximately 1919
Back view of the old sod shacks, store, bank, Leff Hotel, and the north end of the coal mine and spring.
Note: At the site east of Reeder, the landscape is visible today. An archeological "dig" might prove interesting.
There is a symbol "_F" on the back of the original photo. The symbol is unknown but possibly the Leff brand being a backward L and an F.
1."Telegram" the pony that took the prize at the "bucking bronco" contest at the Hettinger and Bowman lot sales.
2. "Montana Kid" (holding the horse) who rode the pony and took the prize for the best ride.
3. Albert Leff, owner of the pony, standing to the left of "Montana Kid".
Note: The year is unknown. Although not written on the photo, we believe the gentleman standing at the back of the horse with the tilted hat and wearing chaps is Charles G. "Charley" Leff (Albert's younger brother) who died in a wagon accident in Reeder in 1918.
Special thanks to Ken Whitehorn and sister for sharing the 3 photos and information. Albert Leff, their great uncle, during his time in Reeder in the early 1900's
New facelift in Reeder
Former "Deering" house, first built by Hjort, the choral director
