Images of America: Wisconsin
Series · 69
books · 1998-2016
Books in series
#2
Appleton
2015
From the Lawrence Institute to hydroelectricity and paper, this Fox City's rich history is chronicled through vintage images.
Appleton's beginnings found their source at the Lawrence Institute, the university in the woods, on the Fox River. Rev. Henry Colman and Rev. William Sampson chose the bluff on the river for the site of the institute. Amos A. Lawrence donated $10,000, and the building began in July 1848. The city was made up of three villages: Martin (Grand Chute), Appleton, and Lawesburg. In 1857, the villages joined together to form the city of Appleton with Amos Story as its first mayor. Appleton's industry grew on the banks of the Fox River.
#5
Beaver Dam
1841-1941
2003
In the fall of 1840, Thomas Mackie and his son-in-law discovered rich soil and abundant timber on land along a stream south of Fox Lake. They soon settled there with their families and named the fledgling town after the industrious animal at work just steps away from their log cabins. This collection of vintage images highlights Beaver Dam's history from 1841 to 1941, as Beaver Dam evolved along the stream, drawing industrialists who built their mills on its banks and tourists who traveled aboard the Rambler excursion steam ship on the man-made lake. With a successful dairy industry and renowned iron works, Beaver Dam prospered and grew into a city united by work, faith, education, and play.
#6
Beloit's Club Pop House
2008
For baby boomers who grew up in and around Beloit, memories of that era would not be complete without the Pop House. To high school students, this teen nightclub was a weekend music mecca. Friday and Saturday nights were reserved for dancing and listening to live music provided by countless bands and solo acts. Owner George Stankewitz, born and raised in Beloit, became friend, father figure, and even boss to hundreds of area teenagers. From swing to pop to rock, notable acts to take the stage at the Pop House between 1946 and 1973 include such jukebox staples as Bobby Vinton, Johnny Tillotson, and Del Shannon, along with a tidal wave of Beatles-inspired local favorites. Summer softball leagues and championship basketball teams are recalled as well as the annual Turkey Bowl that continues to this day. And who can forget the annual chili festival with the crowning of a chili queen or a menu famous for its specialty sandwiches like the Snead and the Smiley?
#10
Camps of Geneva Lake
2016
Geneva Lake camps provided education, activities, spirituality, and community in a healthy environment away from the city. The first sites were located on the western shores of Geneva Lake, with Camp Collie established in 1874; seventeen more followed. Although most camps were spiritually based, they differed in what they offered and who they served. People attending the camps came from all income levels and many cultures. Adult- and family-oriented camps provided a setting for vacations or conferences, and children's camps prided themselves on fostering responsibility and solid values. Images of America: Camps of Geneva Lake highlights 18 camps in the days of woolen bathing costumes, steam yachts, and platform tents.
#11
Cana Island Lighthouse
2006
The Cana Island Lighthouse is one of the most picturesque of any lighthouses still operating on the Great Lakes today. The beautiful peninsula of Door County has a long and bountiful tradition of maritime history, including its many lighthouses. Cana Island has illuminated the coastline on the Lake Michigan side of Door County for over 100 years. Cana Island's story involves bricks and mortar, engineering marvels, and, most noteworthy, people. The dedication of Cana's keepers and their families over the years was remarkable. Countless mariners relied on them. Lighthouse life could be challenging, at times tedious, but also extremely rewarding. Most visitors will agree that Cana Island is indeed an extraordinary place.
#12
The Canepa School of Dance
2006
This popular dance school was formed in 1955 in Baraboo after local appliance and tire store owner Tony Canepa tap-danced at the Sauk County Fairgrounds as the "Mystery Merchant." Upon learning his identity, friends and neighbors begged him to give their children dance lessons. The handsome Canepa was a dancer at the University of Wisconsin. His svelte wife, Alberta, had taken dancing lessons from the third grade through high school. Eventually the dancing duo had 11 children of their own, and as the dancing school grew, so did the "dancing Canepa family." Over 3,500 students have learned to dance from the Canepa family. This volume depicts the yearly dance recitals that were staged to benefit St. Mary's Ringling Hospital, the Circus World Museum, and Camp Wawbeek, an Easter Seal Society camp for handicapped children located in Wisconsin Dells. There are also many photographs of the Canepa family, who as a troupe performed professionally for over 25 years.
#13
Cedarburg
2011
Few cities keep their history alive as purposefully as the community of Cedarburg, Wisconsin. From the original stone mills that are now home to quaint shops to the preserved family homesteads, past and present coexist at every turn in Cedarburg. Settled in the early 1840s by German and Irish immigrants, the city was a hub of farming and recreational activities in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, restored mills and churches serve as a backdrop to a thriving arts and tourist community. The city is now known as much for its festivals as it is for its charming aesthetics. The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.
#15
Chippewa Falls
2001
Long before Jacob Leinenkugel, Edward Rutledge, and William Irvine were associated with Chippewa Falls, Native American people hunted, fished, and gathered the abundant food supplies of the Chippewa area. Through the medium of historic photographs, this book captures the cultural, economic, political, and social history of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, from the mid-1800s to the present day. These pages bring to life the people, events, and industries which helped to shape and transform Chippewa Falls. With more than 200 vintage images, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin includes the largest sawmill in the world under one roof, some of the earliest residents of the community, along with century-old nationally renowned businesses. There was rarely a dull moment in the development of this community’s downtown. The Chippewa Falls Main Street program, operating since 1989, has created a grass roots volunteer driven movement to revitalize downtown Chippewa Falls. Over the years, the downtown has undergone renovation projects and investments totaling more than $57 million.
#16
Chippewa Falls
Main Street
2005
In 1869, the Suez Canal was completed and the city of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, the chief sawmill town on the Chippewa River, was incorporated. Chippewa Falls grew in popularity and influence. It persevered through hardships and experienced the ebb and flow of wealth and power—and 135 years later, Chippewa Falls remains a vital community. This pictorial history documents the heritage of Chippewa Falls from 1896 through the present, with chapters such as Women at Work, Made in Chippewa for the Rest of the World, Family Albums, and Celebrate! Celebrate! By blending contemporary photographs with archival images and providing opportunities for reflection and comparison, this book contributes significantly to the preservation of the community's collective history.
#17
City of West Bend
2015
The City of West Bend got its name from its location on a large westward-reaching bend of the Milwaukee River. Settled mainly by German immigrants in the 1840s, the city was bestowed with leaders possessing entrepreneurial know-how. West Bend became an international center of manufacturing with companies such as the West Bend Aluminum Company, Enger-Kress Pocket Book Company, and Gehl Brothers Manufacturing. Knowing how to work hard, West Bend's residents also played hard with a booming downtown area, local sports teams, parks, and cultural entertainment. Recent decades have seen a decline of local industry, but unlike many communities, the historic downtown continues to thrive with shops, restaurants, and lively cultural offerings. Home to unique architecture such as Old Courthouse and Jail, beautiful Victorian homes, and the new Museum of Wisconsin Art, West Bend continues to thrive and take pride in its past while looking to the future.
#20
Cudahy
Generations of Pride
2002
In 1892, the Cudahy Brothers Company gave birth to the origins of Cudahy, Wisconsin, now a thriving, industrial city just south of Milwaukee. Patrick Cudahy chose to build his meat packing plant on the 700 acres of land along the shore of Lake Michigan because of its proximity to both water and the railroad. Bolstered by Cudahy's endeavor, the Ponto Hotel and a new train depot were built, attracting more settlers and business until the City of Cudahy was officially incorporated in 1906.Through the medium of historic photographs, Cudahy, Wisconsin: Generations of Pride captures Cudahy's evolution from the late 1800s to the present day. Featuring over 200 historic images from both the Cudahy Historical Society and Public Library as well as photographs from private resident collections, this book tells the stories of the people who settled there: where they worked and worshiped, how they lived, and how they celebrated. Today, Cudahy is in the midst of downtown redevelopment, and community pride continues to grow with each generation.
#22
Delavan
2004
Delavan Lake, formerly known as Swan Lake, was once heavily wooded along its banks and flanked further north by prairies and groves of oaks. Eventually, the banks of the lake wouldbecome home to many seasonal dwellings, which sprang up as summertime moved Delavan residents out of town and to the lake in order to escape the heat. By the 1880s, Delavan had become a popular tourist destination and dozens of resorts were built to accommodate visitors. Ultimately, steamers and excursion boats with daily schedules were added to the lake for sightseeing and ease of movement between resorts. This additional influx of people needed entertainment, giving birth to Delavan's ballroom era, which lasted until 1960.
#24
Door Peninsula Shipwrecks
2006
Door County is the home to numerous shipwrecks of pleasure craft and steamers, on a photographic journey of the treacherous waters and those they have claimed. Door County is the final resting place of many shipwrecks, from the first Euro American ship to sail the western Great Lakes, LaSalle's fabled Griffin that left Washington Island in 1679 never to be heard of again, to modern-day pleasure crafts that find the shallow inlets and bays hard to navigate. Door Peninsula Shipwrecks takes the reader on a photographic journey around the peninsula and back to a time of wooden ships and iron men. From Sturgeon Bay to the east coast of the peninsula to the northern islands and Green Bay, the journey encompasses early wooden sail craft to steel steamers, the brave sailors who sailed the treacherous waters, and the heroic lifesavers who rescued them.
#25
Eagle River
2013
As drivers in the 1950s and 1960s traveled the roads of Wisconsin, they often came across billboards inviting them to Eagle River, “the nation’s vacationland.” Then, as now, vacationers and sportsmen came to Eagle River for the clean air, the restful woods and lakes, and the peace and quiet of the Northwoods. Eagle River, created in 1885, is the county seat of Vilas County and is home to the longest chain of freshwater lakes in the world—28 in total. By the late 1890s, the virgin pine forests were depleted, but Eagle River residents recognized that the abundant local hunting and fishing promised a new thriving industry: tourism. Anglers from all over the Midwest were lured to the Northern waters to try their luck. Resorts and summer camps quickly sprang up to accommodate these early tourists along with their families. Their descendants understand that “all hearts come home to Eagle River.”
#26
Early Whitewater Industry
2008
After the arrival of the Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad in 1852, Whitewater became a regional shipping center that blossomed into a powerful industrial town. The Esterly Harvesting Machine Company and the Winchester and Partridge Wagon Works established their first factories in Whitewater after the coming of the Milwaukee and Mississippi. Their manufactured goods were known around the country for exceptional quality. A myriad of new inventions and patents came from Whitewater's business population, and Whitewater's farmers and dairymen consistently won prizes for their produce, while its factories produced reapers and wagons that won national competitions. In the 1890s, however, development suddenly stopped and Whitewater lost its economic clout in a few short years. This book explains what happened to Whitewater.
#27
Eau Claire County
2005
In 1855, Wisconsin's Chippewa County set the wheels in motion to divide itself into three parts. The southernmost section became Eau Claire County. With good forest, good farmland, and the confluence of two scenic rivers, it quickly established its own identity. Eau Claire County followed a classic American path. The county harvested its native natural resources (timber in this case) and started a strong agricultural tradition. In later decades, as its sesquicentennial approached, the county had developed a diversified economy, anchored by health care, retail, higher education, and high-tech manufacturing. But it is the interesting and ever-changing mix of people who built the county, and who have sustained it for 150 years. In 1890, seven of every ten people living in Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley, with Eau Claire County at its heart, were born outside the U.S. or had foreign-born parents. The area still welcomes new arrivals. Through scores of historic photographs, this book captures the hardworking, fun-loving people who have given the county its distinctive place in the American heartland.
#28
Edgerton
2014
Edgerton became a city in 1853. It was named after a modest railroad engineer, Benjamin Hyde Edgerton, who warned people to "wait until after I'm dead, because I might do something in the meantime to discredit the name." In the 1880s, Edgerton was the Wisconsin birthplace of Pauline Pottery, still sought by antique collectors. For more than 100 years, Edgerton was the Midwest king of tobacco. The hometown of A Memoir of a Better Era author Sterling North, Edgerton is now a city of festivals, including Tobacco Days, Chilimania, and the Edgerton Book and Film Festival.
#29
Elkhorn
2004
Designated the Walworth County seat in 1838, Elkhorn has maintained a slower pace of life despite its exciting history and its growth as a community. Music provided to its citizens entertainment as well as employment, with the establishment of a prosperous band instrument industry. Elkhorn was also once known as the "Christmas Card City," when images from around town were featured on several Hallmark cards. In 1995, Elkhorn was included in Norm Crampton's book, The 100 Best Small Towns in America. Elkhorn's residents agree that their town meets the book's criteria—a spirit of community, a feeling of safety, a commitment to the well-being of its children, and a growing population.
#31
Ephraim
2008
With its natural, unspoiled beauty, strong Norwegian heritage, and spiritual values of both the Moravian and Lutheran Churches, the village of Ephraim has long been considered a jewel of the Door County peninsula. Featuring over 200 classic images, many from the archives of the Ephraim Historical Foundation, Ephraim presents the landscapes, people, and events that helped shape this idyllic community, transforming it from a sleepy rural village into a nationally recognized destination for lovers of art, history, and natural beauty. Included are the pristine vistas of the 3,776-acre Peninsula State Park, numerous fine galleries, and charming historic resorts and buildings—still in use today—that captivate the imagination while contributing to Ephraim's rich heritage. The lovely little village of Ephraim has received much public praise throughout the years, most recently being voted the number one small-town vacation getaway by Midwest Living magazine. Discover the reasons for these accolades, as well as the history behind them, through the images in Ephraim.
#34
Fort McCoy
2008
From the days of the horse-drawn caisson to today’s Humvee, Fort McCoy has played a vital role in the military readiness of America’s armed forces. The only federal military installation within the state of Wisconsin, Fort McCoy has seen more than five million military personnel from throughout the United States pass through its gates since its founding in 1909. Fort McCoy exists today primarily because its founder, Maj. Gen. Robert B. McCoy, foresaw that the U.S. Army would need a regional site at which to train and maneuver and then dedicated himself to making that vision a reality. Fort McCoy’s mission of supporting training and mobilization has remained constant from those early days on the McCoy ranch to the current global War on Terror. This book chronicles the illustrious history of Fort McCoy from the doughboys of World War I to today’s soldiers supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
#35
Franklin
2009
Franklin is a microcosm of how a sparsely populated farming community may progress into a small city. German and Irish settlers established Franklin's earliest business enterprises—taverns, blacksmiths, farm supply stores, and the annual Labor Day fair, which remains the largest of its kind in Milwaukee County. In 1956, Franklin moved from a township to a city, featuring a single patrolman and an all-volunteer fire department. For entertainment, Franklinites availed themselves of the 41 Twin Outdoor Theater or Saturday night races at Hales Corner Speedway, Little League diamonds in St. Martins or behind the fire station, and dance halls at Heiden's or the White Dove. A new era began when Franklin High School opened its doors to 350 students in 1962. Today, at 36 square miles—Milwaukee's largest suburb—it is noteworthy that Franklin still has room for a functioning stone quarry and the Tuckaway Country Club.
#36
Geneva Lake
2014
Geneva Lake was formed by a glacier tens of thousands of years ago. The Oneota left historic footprints with a cultural gift in the form of the shore path, which is accessible for all to walk just as the natives did many centuries earlier. Images of America: Geneva Lake illustrates the early history of the communities surrounding the lake—Lake Geneva, Linn, Fontana, and Williams Bay—through scrapbooks, vintage photographs, and storytelling. The chapters in this book cover the history of people, places, pioneers, physical chores, and play at Geneva Lake. Families who have spent time at the lake for generations share enchanting memories, and those new to it can experience “lake living years ago.”
#38
Girl Scouts Camp Alice Chester
2014
Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast's Camp Alice Chester (CAC) on picturesque Booth Lake first opened its doors in 1924 after a successful fundraising effort led by Alice Chester, the first president of the Milwaukee Girl Scouts. Thousands have walked its well-worn trails, cooked over campfires, and slept in the tents and cabins. Swimming and boating activities have consistently been a major appeal for campers. The historic European-style lodge has provided a gathering place for community meals, folk dancing, dramatics, arts and crafts, and ceremonies through the decades. CAC is a unique setting where skills and confidence are strengthened and lasting friendships are formed. Since the fall of 1980, CAC has also been known as Alice Chester Center (ACC). The name change brought expanded year-round, staff-led opportunities for Girl Scouts and others to utilize it during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Today, the accredited property encompasses 333 acres and features frontage on two lakes.
#39
Green Bay's West Side
The Fort Howard Neighborhood
2003
A prominent borough for many years, Fort Howard occupied the area immediately west of the mouth of the Fox River in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Named after the military garrison that once stood there, Fort Howard-once Green Bay's fierce rival-was incorporated into the City of Green Bay in 1895. Today, the neighborhood is a seamless extension of the city, blending burgeoning commerce with historic homes. This collection of vintage photographs highlights stories of the people and businesses that have made this area unique, from philanthropic businessmen to the bustling Broadway District.
#40
Green County
2010
This book presents a glimpse into Green County’s colorful and historic past. Not only are the communities of present-day Green County included, but also within are the ghost towns Attica, Dayton, Dutch Hollow, Martintown, Postville, and Schultz. While far from a complete photographic history of Green County, the reader will get a glimpse of many of the lesser-known facets of its history, both physical and personal. It is the author’s hope that this book will serve as a beginning point for the reader to venture deeper into Green County’s collective past.
#42
Horicon and Horicon Marsh
2008
The city of Horicon has grown beyond its mill town roots to become home to John Deere, Gardner Manufacturing, and many community events. Meanwhile, Horicon Marsh has loomed to the north with its own story to tell. Over the years, what was once the land of the Winnebagos has been flooded, drained, dredged, and farmed. However, thanks to a restoration movement that began in the 1920s, Horicon Marsh stands today as the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States.
#48
Juneau and Sauk Counties
1850-2000
2002
Wild flowers and powerful rivers carved out the landscape, and the beauty of the Baraboo Bluffs touched the pioneers' spirits. Ships full of immigrants plowed across the ocean, while dreams, faith, and courage helped families into the oxen-drawn wagons that carried them to Juneau and Sauk Counties. As the forces in their homelands pushed them toward south central Wisconsin, brother wrote to brother, mother to son, neighbor to former neighbor, bringing people from the same communities in the Old World to settle near each other in the new.Highway 12 in Sauk Prairie became known as Yankee Street, and Lyndon Station in Juneau County was called Irish Alley. Today, the counties are home to many popular tourist destinations, including Rocky Arbor State Park, Devil's Lake, and the Wisconsin Dells. The images in these pages showcase photographs from family, community, and historical society collections.
#49
Kaukauna
2013
Explorer Jean Nicolet traveled down the Fox River in 1634 and explored an area of three waterfalls. Settlers arrived and began trading at this natural way station in 1760, establishing what became Kaukauna—one of the oldest settlements in the state. In fact, the first land deed ever recorded in Wisconsin happened here. The first state road followed in the 1820s, connecting Kaukauna with Green Bay, and people trickled in to work at the sawmills. Locks and dams were built to harness the river, and the paper mills were not far behind. It was then that Kaukauna was nicknamed the "Lion on the Fox," and the boom of a great city began. It is a thriving community today that maintains a small-town feel. Thilmany Pulp and Paper has been the leading employer in the area for more than a century. At the heart of the city remains the Fox River, dividing north and south, and Kaukauna remains the "Lion on the Fox."
#50
Kewaunee County
2000
Kewaunee County became well known throughout the country even before Wisconsin became a territory. The word that gold had been discovered in Kewaunee spread quickly, and plans were soon underway that mapped out the future metropolis of the area. Unfortunately for fortune hunters, "fool's gold" was all that was to be found in Kewaunee. That, and a landscape of breathtaking beauty. Incorporated in 1852, Kewaunee County became home to a large influx of settlers. From the New England states to as far away as Germany, Poland, Ireland, and Bohemia, pioneers flocked to Kewaunee, increasing the population from 1,109 in 1855 to 14,405 in 1875. The European cultural influence is still apparent in the community today. These families came seeking farmland, industrial work, and the natural resources that Kewaunee had to offer. The lumber business boomed and the farmers prospered. Today, the scenery and Lake Michigan attract thousands of sportsmen and vacationers, with expansive beaches, a boardwalk, and fishing tournaments.
#51
La Crosse
1999
La Crosse, Wisconsin, a Midwestern town with Midwestern sensibilities, is located in the western part of the state, on the Mississippi River. In the twentieth century, La Crosse has seen all of the same changes that the rest of the United States has experienced—two world wars, depression, natural disasters, the emergence of the automobile, great technological advances, and the day-to-day family existence that has defined small-town America. In this new addition to the Images of America series, the La Crosse County Historical Society has drawn from its wonderful collection of historic images to offer readers a glimpse into the area’s past. Even if you did not grow up in La Crosse, you will recognize these scenes from everyday life that are a part of us all.
#52
Lake Lawn
2009
Nestled on 275 shaded acres beside beautiful Delavan Lake, Lake Lawn has been a favorite vacation destination since 1878. Much of the area's local history is rooted to this wooded lakeside retreat. It is the site of the highest concentration of ancient Native American effigy mounds in the area. Plus, it was the place where the Mabie brothers first brought their circus, leading to Delavan's designation as 19th-century circus capital of the nation. It was also home to the Lake Lawn Ballroom, one of the most popular dance halls of its day, where a young Lawrence Welk played annually before achieving national fame. In addition to its historical significance, Lake Lawn was the beloved vacation spot for generations of families who enjoyed annual trips to its lakeside cottages and rustic timber lodges.
#56
Latinos in Waukesha
2007
Waukesha's Latino community continues to keep pace with the growth that has characterized Latino demographics in the last 20 years. About 15,000 Latinos are now Waukesha County residents, and there are very unique qualities ascribed to this community. A significant number of Latinos can trace their Waukesha roots to the early 1920s and 1930s. The vast majority of Latinos who came to Waukesha ended up working in foundries, and a significant number retired from those jobs. There are now many families who are third- and fourth-generation Latinos, and new arrivals continue to join friends and relatives already established in Waukesha.
#57
Lead-Mining Towns of Southwest Wisconsin
2008
East of the Mississippi River, and just north of the Illinois-Wisconsin border, the soil was once fertile with huge deposits of lead and zinc. White men discovered these riches in the early 1800s, well before Wisconsin became a state in 1848. Miners, farmers, and merchants flocked to the region, some bringing along their families. Towns with names like Snake Digs, Cottonwood, and Etna grew very rapidly. Roads, bridges, and railroad tunnels soon connected these towns where schools, churches, and businesses developed. Today tourists are invited to visit museums, mines, and shops in the region to explore its colorful past.
#58
Manitowoc
2014
Founded as a city in March 1870, Manitowoc was a thriving farming and port community with a diverse population of German, Irish, Polish, and Norwegian immigrants that grew into a manufacturing center on the Great Lakes and a picturesque home to generations of hardworking people. Vintage images highlight the people, businesses, and industries that make its fascinating and rich history. From pioneers and civic institutions, to the shops and factories that powered the local economy, to how everyday people worked and relaxed, Images of America: Manitowoc details over a century of memories and milestones through rarely seen archival photographs and a richly textured historical narrative.
#59
Maritime Manitowoc
1847-1947
2006
From schooners to submarines, Manitowoc has been home to shipbuilders and their craft for over 200 years. Thanks to the vast collections of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Maritime Manitowoc: 1847-1947 uncovers the fascinating and colorful Golden Age of shipbuilding in the area. This book explores the remarkable history of Manitowoc's shipyards and the magnificent ships that were built there. These ships have sailed the Great Lakes as well as open oceans across the world.
#63
McDougall's Great Lakes Whalebacks
2007
During the last years of the 19th century, the Duluth Harbor, situated between the sister cities of Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, was the birthplace of a bold and innovative and decidedly odd-looking class of Great Lakes barges and steamships known as whalebacks. Capt. Alexander McDougall and his American Steel Barge Company built the curved-decked, snout-nosed whalebacks on the shores of the harbor, first at Duluth�s Rice�s Point and later in Howard�s Pocket at Superior. The vessels were a radical departure, in design, form, and construction,
from the standard shipbuilding concepts of the era but proved themselves more than capable as a number of the boats sailed the Great Lakes and the seaboards
of America until the 1960s. All the whalebacks are gone now�either scrapped or sunk�with one exception. After sailing the lakes for more than 70 years, the
last whaleback, the SS Meteor, returned home to Superior in 1972 and is now continuing its service as a magnificent maritime museum on Barker�s Island.
#64
Menasha
2012
Menasha was carved from the northeastern Wisconsin wilderness in the late 1840s. At the confluence of the Fox River and Lake Winnebago, the town's early entrepreneurs and industrialists sought the promise of waterpower to fuel their mills and kick-start the engine of commerce. Taming the Fox with dams, canals, and a lock, Menasha initially made its mark with flour mills and lumber-based industry. At one time, the city was home to the largest manufacturer of wood-turned products in the world. In the late 19th century, however, the tides of change once again washed upon the city and industrial focus shifted to the paper industry. What made Menasha great were dependable waterpower, plentiful rail connections to centers of commerce in Milwaukee and Chicago, and a prolific labor force that coincided with an influx of European immigrants.
#66
Menomonie
2007
Historic Menomonie lies alongside the beautiful Red Cedar River in western Wisconsin. A town with a rich, diverse history, it grew to become home to a massive lumbering era spearheaded by four innovative pioneer men whose heritage continues to identify the city. Lumbering gave way to the establishment of respected sleigh, brick, piano, and cigar factories in the early 1900s. Throughout these eras, up until the present, inventors, artists, educators, philanthropists, and farmers all put their stamp on the town. Home to the popular Red Cedar Trail, it also is the site of the Mabel Tainter Theatre, an ornate historic building constructed to memorialize a young daughter. Dairy farms still pepper the hillsides, small businesses line Main Street, farmers still market products in the park, and Stout University leads the way in education; and always the arts abound in the nooks and valleys that comprise Menomonie."
#67
Merrill
2013
Jenny or Jenny Bull Falls, as the city was fondly referred to before the railroad roared into town, was born on the backs of speculators, lumbermen, and businessmen in the mid-1840s. Pursuing wide-eyed dreams in the vast pine forests of the north woods, Jenny's population was around 200 in 1870. The worn trails of the Ojibwe/Chippewa, the area's first occupants, were transformed into logging roads, and by the time the city's name was formally changed to Merrill in 1881, the population had grown to 2,000. Nicknamed the "City of Parks" in 1903, Merrill is situated on the convergence of the Wisconsin and Prairie Rivers and features four seasons of natural beauty within the city limits. The wonder of Merrill lies in a century of traditions and in the heritage and beauty of its numerous historic buildings and places.
#84
Mineral Point
2000
Mineral Point, Wisconsin, recounts the changing fortunes of a once rough-and-ready mining town of the 1820s. Featuring historic photographs from the collection of the Mineral Point Historical Society and Pendarvis-Wisconsin State Historic Site-an exciting history unfolds in these pages, with the arrival of miners from the fledgling United States in the 1820s in search of lead. When the demand for lead collapsed, Mineral Point shifted its focus to the mining of zinc, only to have that market drop after World War I. Mineral Point was reawakened in the 1930s with the influx of artists and others, like Edgar Hellum and Robert Neal, who were interested in historic preservation. The town has transformed itself once again, becoming a vibrant artistic, historic, and architectural center. In 1971, it became the first Wisconsin community to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places, with 514 contributing buildings. This fascinating pictorial history celebrates the people of Mineral Point-the early American settlers from Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky, and the Cornish, German, Irish, and Italian immigrants. Mineral Point, Wisconsin, also features their legacy-their homes, businesses, schools, and organizations. These historic photos provide glimpses of the extensive zinc works that no longer exist, as well as many of the buildings still standing in the town today.
#85
Neenah
2014
Neenah rests in the heart of the Fox Valley, positioned between Appleton and Oshkosh. The city sits at the junction of Lake Winnebago and the Fox River, which has always been central to its draw for both recreation and business. Flour and paper milling utilized the river's powerful flow and brought Neenah's biggest booms. The successes of paper mills such as Neenah Paper, which opened in 1866, and the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, which opened in 1872, led to the natural development of the "Paper City" nickname. Today, industry continues to flourish in Neenah. The region has become a hub for several major corporations with broad, international reach, yet lifelong residents remain the true community heroes. Vintage photographs highlight the notable lifestyles of Bergstrom, Aylward, and Mahler, as well as the day-to-day activities of shopkeepers, churchgoers, factory workers, teachers, deliverymen, bankers, politicians, craftsmen, and other locals who were better known as friends or neighbors. Featuring both the storefronts and aisles of popular establishments such as Krueger Hardware, Jandrey's department store, and Burts Candies, this book invites readers to take a trip down memory lane.
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#86
New Glarus
2014
New Glarus was founded in 1845 by impoverished citizens of Glarus, Switzerland. Much of Europe was in the grips of a severe depression, food was in short supply, and jobs were equally scarce. In response to this crisis, the Swiss government formed the Swiss Emigration Society. The society offered passage to America for anyone who wanted to leave Switzerland. On April 16, 1845, a ship took 193 Swiss to the United States. Four months later, on August 16, these pioneers arrived in what would become New Glarus. The founding of this community might be one of the finest examples of the best of socialism. Each settler received 20 acres of land drawn through a lottery; land could not be exchanged for something better. The oxen teams needed to work the land were communally owned. The settlers looked out for the welfare of all, providing schooling, food, shelter, and health care.
#88
Oak Creek
1998
Oak Creek, Wisconsin, is a close-knit community with a long tradition of farming. Authors Anita and Larry Rowe have compiled this volume of photographs from the Oak Creek Historical Society, CNI newspapers, and many longtime residents to trace the history of Oak Creek from the turn of the century, when the community was mostly farmland, to its incorporation as a city in the 1950s. With this glimpse into Oak Creek's past, residents of all ages will delight in discovering the unique heritage of this city in southeastern Wisconsin. The images featured, many of which have never before been published, offer rare views into the daily lives of the area's early settlers at work and at play. Family histories, Oak Creek's struggle for an independent identity outside of the city of Milwaukee, the stories behind the historic buildings at the Oak Creek Historical Museum, and the colorful past of the city's taverns are all brought to life in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
#89
Platteville
2004
Called the "Mound City" for its proximity to the Platte Mound, Platteville has played an important role in Southwest Wisconsin for over 175 years. Throughout the 1830s and 1840s, Platteville was a significant mining center in the Lead Region, mining, smelting, and shipping lead ore to market. The Platteville Academy was established in 1839 and was later replaced by the state's first Normal School, which opened its doors in 1866. Forty-two years later, in 1908, the Wisconsin Mining Trade School was established. Those two schools merged in 1959 and in 1971 became the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
#90
Plymouth
2006
Plymouth, originally considered a "hub" city because of the hub and wheel factory located here, has also earned that moniker for its central location between Milwaukee and Green Bay. Tourists flock to Plymouth year-round to visit the variety of shops, to golf, swim, and ski, or to explore the beautiful Kettle Moraine State Forest. And residents of the city are proud of their heritage, which can be seen at sites such as the Wade House, the Herrling Saw Mill, or the Wesley Jung Carriage Museum, as well as the numerous architectural gems featured on a walking tour of historic homes and businesses. First settled in 1845, it was predicted that "Plymouth bids well to become quite a business town," and so it became, earning the nickname of "World's Cheese Capital."
#92
Poy Sippi and Eastern Waushara County
2005
In the early stages of Wisconsin's statehood, Vermonters settled in an area in east-central Wisconsin. Poy Sippi is a fine example of the pioneers' thirst for adventure, exploration, and hard work ethic. The lakes, creeks, and swamps did not impede this thirst. A small town nestled between two hills, Poy Sippi reminded the settlers of their eastern homes. The interaction of families within the neighboring communities brought about strong bonds and the development of eastern Waushara County. This is their story, told through vintage photographs.
#93
Prairie du Chien
2011
Just above the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers lies a 9-mile prairie whose beauty and location have long drawn people to its expanse. At this traditional gathering place of Native Americans, French explorers and fur traders stored trade goods and celebrated on the prairie, in time building homes at la Prairie des Chiens. American soldiers constructed a fort here, at the entrance to the upper Mississippi Valley, to secure the region for settlement. Wave upon wave of people arrived in Prairie du Chien by steamboat and railroad, and by 1900, a bustling city had spread across the plain. But the French heritage and majestic beauty of the river endured. After World War I, tourists came to drift along the banks of the Mississippi, climb the steep bluffs surrounding the prairie, and sample the Friday night fish fries. Wisconsin’s second-oldest community, Prairie du Chien retains the attraction that drew the first explorers to its shores.
#95
Racine
Drum and Bugle Corps Capital of the World
2008
Many activities become short-lived fads. Not so for the drum and bugle corps in Racine. Here, after 150 years, drum and bugle corps activity still flourishes as a proud tradition. Racine is the self-proclaimed drum corps capital of the world. Racine had six competing drum and bugle corps during the 1960s and 1970s—very impressive for a community of 90,000. In fact, it would be difficult to find a longtime resident who is unaware of this activity. Everyone in Racine either was a member of or had family or friends who were members of a drum and bugle corps.
#96
Reedsburg
2013
Initially a milling village on the banks of the Baraboo River, Reedsburg has experienced growth and change. It was established in the pioneer era of the 1850s and is home to nearly 10,000 residents and various thriving industries. Throughout history, the people of Reedsburg have created conditions for economic success and overcoming setbacks. Today, visitors are drawn to the city's historic downtown, with its specialty shops and restaurants, as it has adapted to changing times. Once a railroad stop on the Chicago and Northwestern line, Reedsburg is now the trailhead for the 400 State Trail Bike Trail. Despite fires and floods, the community has always shown an ability to adapt for success.
#98
Sauk Prairie
2015
Ringed by bluffs, prairie, and the wide, flowing Wisconsin River, the two communities of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac have grown up since the first settler staked claim here in 1838, asserting this colorful, natural landscape as a direct extension of their joint identity. From the freewheeling Agoston Haraszthy to the German Freethinkers, farmers, inventors, and multiple long-standing family-run businesses, the people of Sauk Prairie work and play with a voracity that can outshine even the coldest of winters. In 1914, the construction of the Prairie du Sac Hydroelectric Dam added another natural jewel when it created Lake Wisconsin. Everyone from summertime jet skiers to the wintering bald eagles had yet another reason to enjoy the region known for its festival of cow chips, the Witwen Fourth of July Parade, and the woman who gave the world the recycling symbol.
#99
Sheboygan
2012
Ideally situated on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Sheboygan was once known as the "City of Chairs, Churches, Cheese, and Children" for its abundance of each. Over time, the city's claim to fame has changed. It is now celebrated for bratwurst and hard rolls, great surfing on Lake Michigan, speedy cycling on its city streets, unparalleled sportfishing, and miles of sandy beaches and beautiful dunes in family-friendly parks. A fanciful tale often told to explain the meaning of the name Sheboygan involves an Indian chief who had many sons but no daughters; when his wife presented him with yet another boy, she was rumored to have lamented, "She a boy again." In reality, most authorities agree that Sheboygan is a Chippewa word, but the meaning remains elusive. Some say it refers to a passageway near water, while others say it documents a great river disappearing underground.
#100
Sheboygan County
Pioneers of Commerce
2002
Sheboygan County’s iron-fisted work ethic began with its earliest residents. From the jackknife trading posts and mill wrights of the early 1800s to the spas and “Great Wall of China” of Kohler Company, the importance of commerce to Sheboygan County is evident. This wonderful pictorial history of the small family-owned businesses of Sheboygan County begins in the 1870s and ends with a great shot of a 1950s American Classic—McDonald’s Golden Arches. It provides an intimate look at tin shops and cheese factories, butchers and blacksmiths, movie theaters and much more. Sheboygan County: Pioneers of Commerce presents a cross section of American life as the country grew from a rural entity to a business giant.
#101
Sheboygan Falls
2005
Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, originally platted as the village of "Rochester," took shape in the late 1830s and 1840s. Settled by Yankee businessmen from the East, "Sheboygan at the Falls" was strong from the beginning, surviving even the national financial panic of 1837. As the village grew up along the Sheboygan River, this reliable source of water ensured rapid growth of industry and population and the accompanying prosperity. A city of Greek Revival and Cream City brick architecture, Sheboygan Falls boasts two districts listed on the National Historic Register. The Cole Historic District is the largest Greek Revival District west of the East Coast. Its five buildings were built between 1837 and 1846. The largely original downtown business district of the city includes buildings that once housed a tannery, a cheese bandage factory, a rake factory, a woolen mill, a Temperance Hall for teetotalers, and a Free Hall for women.
#102
Shorewood
2000
From its earliest settlers in 1835 to independence from Milwaukee in 1900, the Village of Shorewood has heralded itself as “tall in stature and big in heart.” Nestled between the Milwaukee River on the west and Lake Michigan on the east, Shorewood has flourished in the short century it has graced Wisconsin shores. Beginning as a rich hunting ground for Native Americans, the Village has nurtured its small town life in America throughout the years to produce a thriving, prosperous community. In this new addition to the Images of America series, the Shorewood Historical Society has authored this book as a photographic tribute to past Shorewood villagers. In celebrating Shorewood’s century, the authors invite you to revisit the Trojan Horse innocence of the “Dummy Line” tracks, the amusement parks and resorts reminiscent of Coney Island, and the trams on the bluff at Atwater Beach. Through the use of over 200 images, many of them never before published, the Society spins the tale of early day Shorewood. We see before our eyes the tiny farms and fledgling industries of the past swiftly evolving into a community of progress.
#105
Sturgeon Bay
2006
Stretching midway across Wisconsin's famous Door County peninsula, Sturgeon Bay has developed into the county's business and industrial center. Divided by the waterway it's named after, this small city provided a home to a working waterfront that once housed sawmills and docks for shipping ice, quarried stone, and, later, cherries. A canal dug from Sturgeon Bay to Lake Michigan in 1880 enabled ships to avoid the long passage over the tip of the peninsula. Sturgeon Bay became a shipbuilding capital, housing three major yards. The lively downtown districts on each side of the bay sported the typical hotels, taverns, stores, and blacksmith shops. Residents took pride in their newly formed schools, churches, and public services such as the Pioneer Fire Department. Families, fortunate to live in a land of great natural beauty, enjoyed recreational pursuits in the woods and on the water, whether it was perch fishing early on a summer morning or skating over the ice on a crisp winter afternoon.
#107
The Swiss Colony
2006
Each year, millions of Swiss Colony mail-order catalogs featuring more than 30,000 items flow into American homes. Little did Raymond Kubly realize in 1926, when he had the goofy idea of selling cheese by mail, that his then-fledgling company would become a mail-order giant. In those first years, cheese wheels were cut and wrapped in consumer-sized pieces in the Kubly family basement and garage. Soon the company was selling not only cheese but sausages, meats, and pastry desserts, all from the pleasant, little southern Wisconsin city of Monroe. Today the ever-expanding Swiss Colony, having ventured into home furnishings, jewelry, apparel, and more, is one of the largest direct marketing companies in the United States.
#109
The Swiss of New Glarus
2007
New Glarus is the only town in America founded by the Swiss Immigration Society. These early settlers, laborers in the textile industry back in Switzerland, became the famous Wisconsin dairy farmers of later generations. While embracing the American ways of their new home—adopting, for example, the midwestern vernacular and Greek Revival boomtown architecture so popular at the time—the Swiss of New Glarus never lost sight of their rich European heritage. In 1937, the town decided to present the Wilhelm Tell Pageant to the public. Performed every summer to this day, it is the longest-running play in a foreign language in the United States. The annual Wilhelm Tell Festival, along with historic Puempel's Tavern, social clubs such as the New Glarus Yodelers, and the 14-building complex called Swiss Historical Village, each seen in this book through vintage images, is testament to why New Glarus has been dubbed "America's Little Switzerland."
#111
Three Lakes
2014
Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin’s renowned Northwoods and surrounded by the world’s largest inland chain of lakes, Three Lakes has developed into a premier resort and vacation destination while maintaining its small-town character. The pristine woodland trails and picturesque lakeside views that residents and visitors of today are accustomed to were not always here. Three Lakes was founded as a supply station for the massive logging operations of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Much of the area was barren of standing timber by the end of the first decade of the 20th century. The community reinvented itself as an agricultural center and as a vacation destination that played host to such notable individuals as Amelia Earhart, Bob Hope, and Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower. The community has always shown pride in its schools, churches, and local organizations.
#112
Two Rivers
2012
The heritage of Two Rivers has been shaped by water. The rare conjunction of Lake Michigan with a dual river system compelled the Potawatomi and Menominee as well as the first American settlers. People of the First Nations plied the lake and rivers in search of whitefish, while initial American settlers sought fish and timber and appreciated the commercial potential of the harbor. Two Rivers rapidly developed into a woodenware manufacturer of world significance. When native forests diminished, the community demonstrated patterns typical of a small American town. Businesses, schools, churches, and public services grew and thrived. Through periods of growth, decline, and stability, the lake and the rivers have given the community its distinctiveness. Located on a small peninsula almost 90 miles north of Milwaukee, Two Rivers' climate has earned it a reputation as "the coolest spot in Wisconsin."
#113
Walworth County
1998
From 1870 to 1950, Walworth County, Wisconsin, experienced a period of dramatic social change. This fascinating collection of photographs provides avisual journey through time, depicting major changes in transportation and its effects on the beautiful shores of Lake Geneva. Developments in the railroad provided a huge catalyst for change before the turn of the century. Farmers were able to ship milk to Chicago and the annual influx of summer residents from the Chicago area quickly grew with the easy access to Lake Geneva's wealthy south shore. The advent of the automobile sparked a second radical change in the face of the county, opening up a vast radius of the Midwest to families who had once been restricted by the horse-drawn wagon. The oneroom school became a thing of the past, and the lakes became popular destinations for weekend visitors set to enjoy the leisurely pursuits of boating and fishing.
#115
Walworth County Fair
2005
Dubbed the "Great Fair" in 1918, the Walworth County Fair is one of the largest in the United States. The fair festivities have been summer's final fling and a chance to welcome the coming autumn for generations of local residents and visitors alike. Each Labor Day weekend, thousands of enthusiasts from across the Midwest flock to the city of Elkhorn; in early years, 19 special trains even shuttled visitors from southeastern Wisconsin and every town along the length of the state line. Through a collection of 200 vintage images, author Taylor Pipes details the fair's rich history from its founding in 1851 to the present. Photographs depict celebration and fire, 4-H judging and showing animals, and the rides and food booths that form an integral backdrop for any fair.
#115
Washington County's Aluminum Industry
2009
The aluminum and cookware industries in Washington County were main employers during the 20th century. Manufacturing competitors West Bend Aluminum Company and Kewaskum Aluminum Company (later Regal Ware, Inc.) began production early in the 20th century only eight miles apart. These company histories, while interesting in themselves, would be remiss without discussion of broader influences. Both companies had a substantial effect on American consumerism, women's social roles, and industrial design. Today the West Bend Company and Regal Ware, Inc., are two of the best-known makers of cookware and small appliances around the world. Their ability to survive economic depression, war, and changing times are three reasons for their success and make them excellent examples of the American dream come to life. With deep roots in Washington County, they were able to spread wide nets and capture loyalty around the globe.
#117
Waunakee and Westport
2012
Situated within Westport Township's expansive prairies along Six Mile Creek, the village known as Waunakee began as a country road with only a school and blacksmith shop. Because of the initiative of a few citizens, the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad decided to locate its depot on that dirt road. Established in 1871, the village of Waunakee sprang up almost immediately and continued to grow and thrive for the subsequent 140 years. Follow the development of the historic village as it unfolds through photographs, many of which were passed down from generations of centennial families who settled in the area. Witness how locals shipped agricultural products and traveled at the Waunakee depot. Discover Waunakee and Westport's best-known citizens, including a famous Victorian poet, a physician who practiced for over 70 years, and a renowned pilot who became president of an airline.
#119
Waupun
2014
Fondly referred to as the "City of Sculpture," Waupun celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2014. From its inception, the decisions, hard work, and determination of Waupun's first citizens were integral in developing the Waupun of today. In 1839, Seymour Wilcox ventured from Green Bay with his family and two friends to the unsettled area of Wisconsin known as Oak Openings. The surveyor of the land, John Bannister, described it "the most beautiful and fertile land \[he\] had ever seen." The land Wilcox purchased bordered the Rock River and lay in both Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties. This division of counties eventually caused some tension within the fledgling town, although it did not deter the town from uniting and prospering in agriculture, business, industry, faith, public works, and play.
#120
Wauwatosa
2004
First called Hart's Mills, after its founder Charles Hart who settled here in 1835, early Wauwatosa resembled a New England village, complete with a commons. Its first pioneers were Yankees and New Yorkers, later joined by Germans who would mold the growing community. Wauwatosa became the most highly developed, unincorporated settlement in Milwaukee County. It attained a degree of sophistication with its commercial mix of mills, a pickle factory, inns, modest businesses, and nearby stone quarries and breweries. Vital links to Milwaukee in 1851, the Watertown Plank Road and the state's first railroad through the village center to Waukesha, enhanced this development. In 1852, the County Board selected a site nearby for its poor farm. Wauwatosa incorporated as a village in 1892, attaining city status in 1897. The streetcar of the 1890s and the automobile fueled residential growth. Wauwatosa became known as the "City of Homes." In the 1950s, Wauwatosa tripled in size with final annexations and was transformed into a major center of commercial and industrial development, while retaining large public green spaces, parkways, and recreational sites.
#121
West Allis
2003
Over the years, West Allis has progressed from a busy hamlet on the banks of Honey Creek to a stout industrial city. West Allis came of age in the early 20th century as groups of immigrating Germans, Poles, and Slavs joined original settlers to a build a community that is now quickly approaching 100 years of success and vitality. Home to industrial giants such as the Allis-Chalmers Company and Kearney and Trecker Corporation, West Allis manufactured the machines, parts, and equipment essential to the growth of the nation. The city, host of the Wisconsin State Fair, seamlessly blends industry and community.
#124
Whitefish Bay
2010
The abundance of whitefish in the Lake Michigan bay that frames this village gave it its name. The whitefish also helped feed the appetites of patrons of the resorts that once graced the community. Whitefish Bay quickly grew away from fishing and resorts to become the "Gold Coast" village north of Milwaukee. Nestled close enough to the city to allow an easy work commute, yet far enough away to provide an attractive community atmosphere, Whitefish Bay became a desirable location for families to put down roots. Stately homes went up alongside early farmhouses. Stores and other vibrant commercial enterprises quickly followed along with schools, churches, clubs, and organizations that continue to provide residents with a strong sense of community.
#125
Whitewater
2006
The city of Whitewater was named for the soft, white clay that lined the stream flowing through the area. Later it claimed the motto "the Banner Inland City of the Midwest" and, after that, "Whitewater, the City Beautiful" for its stately homes and large, graceful trees. Samuel Prince, the first settler, erected a cabin on his claim of 60 acres in 1837; a gristmill, sawmill, paper mill, and numerous stores were soon established in this rich agricultural area. The railroad came, and the manufacturing of the Esterly Grain Harvester and the Whitewater Wagon made Whitewater an industrial town. In 1868, the state's second normal school—later the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater—located here, further changing the town's character.
#129
Wisconsin Veterans Home at King
2004
The Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, Wisconsin, was incorporated in 1887 by the Wisconsin Department of the Grand Army of the Republic. Initially a retirement home for Civil War veterans and their spouses, the Home slowly evolved into a health care facility as the original members aged and new veterans arrived from World War I. Images within Wisconsin Veterans Home at King allow the reader to experience the early grandeur of the old Home. Some original buildings still exist today, and the Home currently cares for approximately 800 veterans and spouses.
Authors
Walter S. Dunn Jr.
Author · 5 books
WALTER S. DUNN, JR. had a 40-year career directing museums, including the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society and the Iowa Science Center. His books include The Soviet Economy and the Red Army, 1930-1945 (1995), Hitler's Nemesis: The Red Army (1994), and Second Front Now, 1943 (1981).
Matthew J. Prigge
Author · 3 books
Matthew J. Prigge is an author and historian from Milwaukee. He is the author of five books, including the forthcoming Opening Day in Milwaukee: The Brewers’ Season-Starters, 1970-2022. He led tours of Milwaukee’s rivers and harbors for nearly ten years as the resident narrator aboard the Vista King tour boat and was the host of WMSE’s ‘What Made Milwaukee Famous’ radio program. He is currently a public librarian and is an avid collector of baseball cards. His topics of focus include baseball, true crime, and Milwaukee history. Matthew lives in St. Francis, Wisconsin with his spouse, Erika, and their four occasionally-troublesome pet rats.
