I am making this request for the local Shawnee County Historical Society.  They are deeply involved in renovating and documenting an old house in Topeka, Kansas.  The society believes that two-story native limestone building with a brick facade is thought to have been the home of John and Mary Ritchie from ca. 1855/6 to 1866/7.  Two small archeological projects have been carried out in and around the house.  I conducted a small project in the yard area, which identified a cistern and two retaining walls, but primarilly recovered artifacts and debris from the late 19th through late 20th c occupations).  The second project, conducted by archeologists from South Dakota, focussed on small portions of the cellar, beneath a recently removed addition, and the cistern.  I have not yet seen their results.

The archeologists and the historical society's project coordinator and researchers have followed many leads from doucmentary sources and artifacts.  Marks on bricks and structural lumber have been examined and traced.  

They are now trying to find information on an embossed name on a piece of metal recovered from during replacement of the roof.  They have described it to me as "terne metal," an old lead-tin alloy.  The embossed name reads "ELECTRIC CITY."    Beneath the words is a capital "C" with a upward curving line extending from the back of the letter and ending in a flat bar.  It is assumed that this is a manufacturer's or distributor's mark.  Could anyone shed any light on "ELECTRIC CITY"??  They have conducted some preliminary research on the internet and have contacted the Smithsonian and a building museum, but so far with little success.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.




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Marsha K. King
Special Projects Archeologist
Cultural Resource Division
Kansas State Historical Society
6425 SW 6th Ave
Topeka, KS   66615-1099
Phone:  (785) 272-8681, ext. 253
Fax:  (785) 272-8682#240#
Email:  [log in to unmask]
Web:   http://www.KSHS.org