Photograph courtesy of Wanda Fowler, August 2015
The Brandon House is the finest clapboard building downtown. It is Greek Revival architecture, built in 1871 by Swiss immigrant J. U. Zurcher as a residence, bakery, and confectionary. In 1913 it became the Yorkville Candy Kitchen and remained in business into the 1940s under successive operators of Greek descent. Income was apparently supplemented by products from a still, remains of which were later discovered in the basement. Wills Jeweler was here from the 1950s to the 1980s. In 1985 John Lundgren restored the dilapidated building. He named it the Brandon House, for the family who owned it for 40 years. Fine-dining restaurants were among the businesses since then. Melissa and Bob Gray are your hosts.