Welcome to Life Care Center! I hope you enjoy the ambiance created by talented craftsmen, and the essence of welcome and peace as you enjoy the history of 212 Kingwood Street. This is a brief and not totally guaranteed history of the house!!

The beginnings of this home were established in 1885. In 1903, Mr. Albert Mattes and his wife, Alice lived here. Mr. Mattes was the mill foreman for Brainerd Lumber Company, which was the predecessor of the Potlatch Corporation. He was a member of the HooHoo and International Lumberman’s Organization.

Around 1905 the house was purchased by M.E. Ryan for his wife Helen, mother Mary, and their family of three young boys, Clement, Carlton and Donald and daughter Evelyn. Mr. Ryan was a young attorney, recently graduated from the St. Paul College of Law. He had planned on opening a practice in Hibbing, but on investigation decided that the northern town was too wild for his young family. As he was returning to St. Paul, he passed through Brainerd. A short visit convinced lawyer Ryan that Brainerd was a very suitable and growing town for his fledgling practice. They remained in this house for the rest of their lives.

The house was near an alley, which ran from Kingwood to Washington. There were a couple of out-buildings, including an outhouse. It was convenient for Mr. Ryan to walk to his office on 7th and Laurel. In 1913, the Ryan's did a major remodeling on their home. Mrs. Ryan’s father, Mr. Chase, of Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin, was a building contractor, and came to oversee the project. At that time, the wrap-around porch was added and several inside amenities. The lovely brick fireplace was put in, the stained glass windows, central heating, and a back stairway for the use of the hired girl, who slept in the small back bedroom. The most eagerly awaited improvement was an inside bathroom, one of the first in the neighborhood!

The front parlor, now the kitchen, was lined with bookcases to hold the family library, but most of their time of relaxation was spent in front of the fireplace, reading and playing games, or on the front porch, visiting with neighbors who passed by. The Ryan home was a gathering place for young people of all ages. In the 40’s “Ma” Ryan started holding ice cream parties once every summer, for all the youngsters in town. She would have Russell’s Creamery deliver hundreds of cones to her backyard. With the help of adult family and friends, they would serve the children all the ice cream that they could eat!

It wasn’t until about 1950 there were any more additional changes. At that time the lovely parlor was closed in for a downstairs bedroom, and a bathroom made from the closet under the stairs. Mr. Ryan passed away in 1953. Ma Ryan lived in the home with a companion until her death in 1965.

Mr. Ted Eastman and his wife purchased the house and lived here for many of the following years. He moved the kitchen from the back of the house to the front, so Mrs. Eastman could watch the neighborhood activity from the large kitchen window.

Mr. Art Jentch purchased the home and improved the front porch and roof. His daughter’s young family lived here for a brief time, before it was purchased by Kathy Bjork for her business, The Fine Line. Kathy maintained the integrity of the home and its character. Much of the faux painting was done when she owned the home.

In following Ma Ryan’s footsteps, Debbie’s business continues to open the door as a gathering place for many. Debbie has been a certified massage therapist since 1990, providing an environment of healing for 100’s of clients over the years.

Come and enjoy! Know you are welcome!