26. Rish Honey House

Area of "New" Iola

Rish Honey House, 2006

Built in 1902 by James Franklin Rish, Sr., the Honey House was used to extract honey from nearby hives by three generations of Rishes. James Frankin Rish, Sr.’s, father Henry Alexander Rish had started the family business in the 1880s, perhaps at the urging of his wife Rebecca.

Built of heart pine, the building has never been painted and has withstood floods and high winds from hurricanes. James Franklin Rish, Sr.’s, grandson James Ernest Rish collected honey here without the aid of electricity until 2005 when he built a new honey house with electricity next to his house in town.

James Rish, 2006

Listen to James Rish describe how honey was extracted in the Honey House: Real Network Windows Media Player

The Rishes use acid boards rather then smoke to drive the bees out of the hives so they can collect the boxes for extracting. The photo below shows James’s son Nathan beginning the collection process.

Nathan Rish beginning the honey collection process, 2006

The house was recently moved to the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement in Blountstown, FL (Liberty County).

Rish Honey House apiaries, 2006

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