The Spirit of Community in Delano is defined by the

Creativity, Resilience, and Community Investment of its people.

GP Schaffer Building

Built 1897

Built in 1906, the two-story brick building at 248 River Street North has been part of Delano’s downtown story for more than a century. Originally constructed by E. F. Ziebarth and Thomas Lebovsky, it has housed an ever-changing variety of businesses and residents through the decades, surviving changes in ownership, a major fire, and the evolution of downtown Delano itself. Today, following an extensive renovation, the historic building is known as the Whiskey Jar Pud and Eatery and continues its long tradition as a vibrant part of the community.

216 River St. N.

Originally George Schaffer opened a store on the corner of River St. and Franklin Ave. in 1888/89.

Then this brick building was built as a general merchandise store by G.P. Schaffer.

The building originally had a front balcony and porch.

  • 1909: The business was know as Geo P Schaffer and Son

  • 1915: Geo P Schaffer's son Franky took over the business1926 the building housed the J.C.N Peterson Mercantile Company

  • 1946: Marvin Schmidt opened the Red & White food store.

  • 1950-Present: The building has housed various retail businesses and survived the 1965 flood.

The Schaffer building housed Geo. P. Schaffer & Son, a general mercantile business that handled a full line of dry goods, furnishings, boys’ clothing, hats, caps, shoes, groceries, crockery and glassware.

The rejuvenation of the wall ads on the side of the building was done as an Eagle Scout project by McKay Elwood in 2009.

Graffiti or History???

School kids signed the brick wall on Elm Ave through out the years. Can you find the oldest signature?

Spirit of Community Trail Stops

The content of this page is brought to you by the Delano Spirit of Community Trail Committee in honor of Delano's 150th Anniversary.