One of the oldest structures in Ramona is the former Badger Lumber Company, located on the east side of main street, at the south entrance to town. (The Badger Lumber Company also had lumberyards in Herington, Marion, Elmo, Hope, Abilene, Tampa, and Durham.) Mr. Al Peterson was the first manager at the Ramona store, followed by Robert Telfer, who managed the operation until the Depression, when the store temporarily closed. It re-opened under the management of Les Hungerford, and operated for another ten years.
When the enterprise closed, the lumber shed was removed. The store building was sold to Harry and Georgia Berger, who used the building for a restaurant, as did Pete and Hannah Sader, and Greg and Lori Stenzel. Don and Norma Bird bought the building in 1988, and Norma operated an antique business there until 2007.
Historical information about Ramona was gleaned from the following sources, and written by Jessica Gilbert, Ramona City Clerk: A Century of Memories (1987) by Dale & Leona Sondergard, for Ramona's Centennial; The Ramona News (2001-2008) by The California Sisters, with interviews of Ramona residents, past and present; and Marion County Kansas, Past and Present (1972) by Sondra Van Meter.
Ramona family stories written by the California Sisters and featured in the Ramona News are available to download. Just click on the name.