website watertownhistory.org
ebook History
of Watertown, Wisconsin
Miscellaneous set
Watertown
Daily Times, 07 17 1969
The
Streamline Bar and building located at 121 West Main Street has been sold by a
Mr. and Mrs. Lester J. Herro of Watertown to Mr. and Mrs. Roman Blankenheim of
Portage. The Blankenheims will reopen the business the early part of August.
The
property has been in the Herro family since the building was built in the early
1940's by the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Herro, parents of Lester J. Herro.
The
operators of the Streamline Bar for the past 14 years were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
Sobek, who retired June 30.
The Blankenheims have been experienced and successful operators
in the restaurant and bar business for many years. They previously
ran the Whitewater Inn in Whitewater, the Country Inn at Columbus, the Gaslite in Fort Atkinson and most recently the Trails
Lounge in Portage.
The Blankenheims plan extensive remodeling and redecorating and
expect completion within 90 days. However, the bar will be open
during this time after they move to Watertown about Aug. 6.
612 Oakwood Lane
Bonnie
and Brian Hertel
12 2021
The
Hertel’s built their home in 1993 as one of the first homes in their
neighborhood. The home has a cozy cabin feel. They incorporated
historic barn beams to enhance the rustic feel in the open concept living room
as well as the master bedroom.
Whitewashed
barnboard walls were added throughout the home to add to the rustic
feel. The fireplace was built out of Watertown brick from floor to
ceiling and the mantel is a 140-year-old barn beam.
Brian
recently added all antique hand-made light fixtures throughout the home
including one made from Mullen’s antique milk jugs.
When
decorating for the holidays, the rustic theme continues throughout the entire
home including antiques, primitive snowmen, and Brian’s many handmade
one-of-a-kind items.
All
items are unique.
Another
addition to the décor are the wildlife mounts from
Brian’s hunting adventures. Bonnie decorates the home from top to bottom for
the holidays and also incorporates many pine accents
for that “north woods” feel.
Hemp's Surplus Opens
New Store
Watertown Daily Times, 08 16
1969
The
former Hemp’s Surplus and Sports, a retail government surplus and sports store
in Watertown, has moved to a new location and the name of the firm has changed.
The new
store, Hemp’s Sport and Recreation, has moved to 216
South Third Street. The new center is located in
the old Pfister Pontiac-Cadillac building which is presently being remodeled.
Because
of the considerable amount of extra space in the new store, Hemps will carry
more merchandise in the sports and recreation departments. The new
merchandise on display includes boats, canoes, mini-bikes, archery equipment,
guns, and sportswear.
In the
future, the store will also handle Honda motor bikes, snowmobiles, boat motrs, go-carts, and camper trailers.
A
catalog department will also be available at the store. The
department will enable customers to purchase almost anything in the sports and
recreation field.
The
store has provided free customer space at the rear of the new store.
Watertown Daily Times, 09 04 1967
Backers
of a plan for the establishment of a coffee house in Watertown to provide a
suitable gathering place for teenagers are still searching for a suitable site
after plans for the original site in North Water Street had to be dropped
because it was found it did not meet the required standards. The
teenagers and their supporters, including many church people, are open to
suggestions and anyone having a location that can be converted into a coffee
house is asked to telephone either Steve Schaefer at 261-3908 or Wayne Bocher
at 261 6289.
One-Way / Two-Way Traffic Patterns
Watertown
Daily Times, 09 0 1992
The
Watertown Common Council Tuesday backed plans intended to address two long-time
problems in downtown - confusing traffic patterns and
loitering. The council passed the first readings of five ordinances
that city officials hope will give police greater ability to keep. order on
Main Street during the evening hours. Aldermen also adopted
ordinances on their second readings that would restore two-way traffic on the
100 blocks of North and South First streets.
Another
set of ordinances were passed that will require
vehicles on Third and Fourth streets to stop for Market Street. The
traffic changes won't go into effect for about two to three weeks, according to
City Engineer Joseph Radocay. City workers will need to install no-parking
signs, traffic lights and mark lanes before the changes can take place.
St. Coletta celebrates
anniversary
2014
JEFFERSON
— This week, St. Coletta of Wisconsin celebrates 110 years of service to
individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities in southeast
Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
St.
Coletta will also spend the week celebrating its caregivers for National Direct
Support Professionals Week.
Founded
in 1904 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, these dedicated and passionate
women forged the way for people with developmental disabilities all over the
nation.
Approached
by a young couple in 1904, requesting assistance for their daughter with
disabilities, the women welcomed the child with open arms, in addition to four
others, thus beginning the “Institute for Backward Youth” in Jefferson County.
St.
Coletta has experienced multiple growth spurts since its inception. Just a
short time later in 1915, the school’s participation numbers jumped from just a
few to more than 70. In the 1920s, a school building was constructed and the children started to attend school.
The curriculum focused on the values of cleanliness, respect, courtesy, obedience and cheerfulness.
By the
1940s, the word began to spread of a school in a rural town in Wisconsin that
offered students with disabilities the opportunity to flourish in a structured
and supported environment that was run by women of faith. The school’s
admissions increased significantly, including the admission of Rosemary
Kennedy, the sister of United States President John F. Kennedy. As enrollment
continued to grow, so did the campus. New buildings were erected to include two
barns, a hog and poultry building, a garden house with cellar and the Serra
House, which provided hospitality for guests of the residents. Growth was upon
the organization and the sisters continued to forge ahead.
Fast
forward to the ’60s and life on campus was in overdrive. More than 500 children
ages 4 and older were enrolled in what had come to be known as the “School of
Exceptional Children.” At this point, the school’s reputation had gained
presidential recognition. Sister Mary Theodore, the superintendent at that
time, flew to Washington, D.C., to accept a pen from President Lyndon Johnson
that he used to sign the HR6430 bill, extending the legislative movement for
the benefit of people with developmental disabilities.
As
campus life flourished, the sisters began to experience a new challenge. In
1967, working at St. Coletta were 98 sisters, a decrease from the maximum
number of 104 in 1963. The aging sisters contributed to a significant increase
in lay staff; 55 in 1967 compared to 13 in 1963. By the time 1971 rolled
around, the first lay administrative person was hired to serve as the assistant
administrator, marking a new era for St. Coletta. Along with the aging sisters,
students were also growing older and it was around
this time the shift to serving adults in the community began.
The
’70s were a time of innovation that provided individuals the opportunity of
employment. St. Coletta created partnerships with a
number of local businesses, including with the Fireside Theatre in
Fort Atkinson, which still exists today. Currently, the Access Employment
Program at St. Coletta works with many businesses to match the person served
with a job that is appropriate to his or her skills and capabilities.
In the
1980s, under the supervision of Sister Elaine Weber and Sister Sheila Haskett,
a movement towards building community-based homes escalated and students began
to transition off the main campus. This shift not only enhanced quality of life
but gave students the opportunity to live the most independent life possible.
At the
same time, a day program was developed that could support the growing needs of
aging individuals both with and without developmentally disabilities. Golden
Options day program opened its doors in 1986 and the program continues today.
Participants enjoy health and wellness, cognitive, social and
community-based activities, all the while getting the necessary health-related
services.
The
1990s marked the end of an era. Individuals with developmental and intellectual
disabilities became mainstreamed into public schools and the last class of the
St. Coletta school program graduated in 1995. By the 2000s, with the majority of its services provided in
community-based settings, the historic campus property in Jefferson was sold.
In 2011, St. Coletta of Wisconsin renovated the building formerly known as Alverno, on the corner of highways 18 and Y, and
transitioned employees and day programs to the new headquarters.
“We
look back to our history with a great admiration for the religious and lay
people who dedicated their lives to shaping St. Coletta of Wisconsin into an
organization full of compassion, dignity and
respect. Our 110-year commitment to people with developmental disabilities is a
wonderful testament to the mission established by the Sisters of St. Francis of
Assisi and it continues through the commitment of family members, benefactors
and especially the staff,” said Tony LoDuca, president
and CEO of St. Coletta. “The week of Sept. 7-13 has been declared National
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) Week, and as the sisters did for so many
years before us, direct support professionals work tirelessly to provide
support and opportunities for people with disabilities to live their best life
possible. We thank everyone who has been a part of our 110year history and look
forward to continuing our mission long into the future.”
Baptism in Frigid Rock River
Watertown Gazette, 01 30
1891
Last
Friday morning five persons, male and female, were baptized in Rock river on
the C. Hemey farm in the town of Ixonia.
After receiving
their cold bath, they were duly recognized as members of the Lebanon Baptist
church.
Watertown
Gazette, 03 20 1891
Nic
Simon, of this city, has just received fine Percheron, Clydesdale
and trotting stallions. They can be seen at Chas. Ott's stable on
1st street, opposite Concordia opera house. All horsemen that are
familiar with this class of horses say they are the finest stallions that they
ever saw.
Watertown Gazette, 03 20
1891
Frank Bolles formerly of Watertown, has been appointed telegraph
operator in the war department at Washington at $900 a year.
Watertown
Republican, 03 18 1891
Joseph
Breunig and Emil Heming engaged in a quarrel in the Kneubuehler
saloon in the Sixth ward, Sunday night, when the latter threw a beer glass at
the former, striking him on the head and fracturing his skull in a dangerous
manner. Heming was arrested and taken before Justice Beckman,
Monday. The examination was postponed to next Monday afternoon,
Heming giving $500 bonds for his appearance. Heming is a married man
and Breunig ix a young man of
23. WR
City Wants Old Shack To Be Razed
Watertown
Daily Times, 05 17 1939
Mrs. Martha
A. Cole, owner of the shack located in North Second Street, directly across
from the post office, is to be given 30 days to have the buildings
razed. The city council decided last night that the buildings {are]
long an eyesore and a hazard must come down. The required notice
will be given her. She resides in
Milwaukee. The buildings are reported to contain articles which she
has long stored there.
Watertown
Daily Times, 08 15 1944
Times
Square: When it comes to covering a lot of ground it takes Richard
(Jiggs) Kaul of 100 Western Avenue to do just that. The other night
he took his bride to a dance, then they hiked 8 miles to the home of Mr. &
Mrs. George Hoeft in the Town of Clyman, getting there in time for
breakfast. Then they helped thresh, after which they went to Beaver
Dam where they visited their niece, Mrs. Kenneth Fredrick at St. Joseph's
Hospital. After that they stopped at a tavern for a little
refreshment and the next day they visited friends in Lebanon. Then
they returned home, to attend the double christening of Dewayne, son of Mr.
& Mrs. George Schuenemann and Michael, son of Mr. & Mrs. Paul
Schuenemann, followed by dancing and refreshments. At 6 o'clock the
next morning he was ready for work at the Bickett Rubber
Company. Now there, if you ask us, is a strenuous schedule.
Marijuana grown on College Ave
Shade for chickens, feed for canary
Watertown
Daily Times, 09 14 1938
Police
authorities announced today that a supply of genuine marijuana, a weed from
which a drug is extracted, had been found here on a College Avenue property and
that it had been destroyed.
Part of
the supply was brought to the police station.
The man
on whose property it was growing has been raising it for years since it
provided excellent shade for his chicken yard the police said.
In the
winter he fed the dry seeds to his canary, many birds being fond of such seeds.
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 01 1939
Bob
Taylor, heart throb of films, pays city a visit.
Wearing
a suit of soft toned gray and willing to talk about everything under the sun except
his forthcoming marriage to Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Taylor, one of the
screen's leading glamour boys, paid Watertown a visit today. Bob's
private car was shunted to a siding here for several hours this forenoon while
he waited for a train to take him to Minneapolis. Few people knew he
was in the city.
Watertown
Gazette, 02 19 1912
Locate
at Watertown. Joe and Ben Zabler, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Zabler,
of Spring Prairie, have leased part of the new Masonic block at Watertown,
Wis., and will open an ice cream parlor in the same. The
young men have had experience in this line, having been employed and in
Milwaukee. They have secured one of the best locations in Watertown
and Burlington friends wish them success. - Democrat, Burlington, Wis.
Watertown
Daily Times, 08 19 1937
Watertown's
newest super service station, the new Pure Oil Station at Main & 5th
Streets, is nearing completion and will be ready for its grand opening
shortly. The building is beautifully designed and has about
everything a modern filling station can and should have.
Demolished
in 1967.
Watertown Daily Times, 12 17 1940
Kiepert's
Dairy Bar, which opened recently in the building which for so many years housed
the Baumann Candy Kitchen, at West Main & North Water Streets, is already
enjoying the patronage of many people here. The place offers a
welcome appearance and is dispensing sodas
and malted milks, as well as hot sandwiches, baked ham, chili, pie and other delicacies which will be on the menu and
served daily. The place has been completely redecorated and there is
fountain service. Booths have also been installed. There
is a large space for dancing. . .
Watertown Daily Times, 04 26 1940
In
April of 1940 there was the Paradise Inn at 612 East Main Street where you
could get a plate lunch for 25 cents and a pork, beef
or chicken sandwich for 10 cents. Whiskey was 15 cents.
Watertown
Gazette, 09 25 1913
Mrs.
Margaret May who recently purchased the millinery store of Miss Dora Geschke,
and who was detained at Waukesha, has returned to Watertown and is now in
active charge of the millinery store in Main Street, where she will be pleased
to meet the ladies of Watertown and vicinity. She has a choice line
of millinery goods in stock, all the very latest and newest styles.
Watertown
Gazette, 04 08 1891
Artie,
second eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Gardner, accidentally shot
himself Friday afternoon, while carelessly handling a revolver. Ball entered at knee, and notwithstanding probing that was
done, it has not been found. The wound is a painful one, but it is
hoped that it may not prove serious.
Found in Cemetery
Watertown
Gazette, 04 24 1891
The
three-year-old children of Clem Stoll and P. Kelly, who strayed from the home
of Mr. Stoll last Monday afternoon, were found in the evening at Oak Hill
cemetery.
Turkey-Buzzard
Watertown
Republican, 04 29 1891
A bird
unknown to these parts was captured in February on the Haas farm, in the town
of Ixonia. When found it was covered with ice and snow, and although
almost frozen stiff, it soon came out all right. The bird came into
the possession of Alfred Meyer, and can be seen in the
window of Lee's barber shop. Studer's "Birds of North
America" gives this bird as the red-headed vulture or turkey-buzzard, and
although having an extended distribution and met with in most all parts of
North America, has been rarely, if ever, seen in Wisconsin. The
turkey-buzzard, when pressed for food attacks live animals, young pigs and rams
becoming its prey. In warm climates they are encouraged, being used
as scavengers and regarded as public
benefactors.
Bullheads and Snapping-Turtles
Watertown
Gazette, 05 01 1891
Thomas
Enright and Mike Enright of this city went on a fishing excursion to Hubbleton
last Sunday. They returned home with a string of about 40
fish. Thomas says that Hubbleton is the greatest place on earth for
bullheads and snapping-turtles. Mike said that if it hadn't been
so windy they might have caught a whale.
Watertown
Daily Times, 09 03 1925
Notice: I
wish to give notice to the night time joy couples who are making use of my
premises in 202 Fremont Street that this is not a public place for
amusement. If I cannot have my freedom under protection of
the police I will be compelled to turn my
dogs loose and trespassers must take the consequences.
Eugene
Wintz
Watertown
Daily Times, 09 03 1925
Evelyn
Matteson opens up new beauty
shop known as The Service Beauty Shoppe in rooms 209 & 210 in the offices
of the Woolworth Building on Main Street.
will occupy largest
portion of Cole block
Watertown Daily Times, 07 05 1928
J. C.
Penney Company will occupy largest portion of Cole block. The new
Penney Company store will consist of present quarters
of the Olympia Candy Store and Bittner and Tetzlaff's Drug
Store. The main floor and the second floor are to be used for the
business. A balcony is also to be constructed. The third
store in the block [205] which now houses a fruit market will be taken over by the Olympia. The quarters of the Pythian Lodge
located on the top floor of the block will continue to be the lodge quarters. Bittner
and Tetzlaff's Drug Store will be moved to the building at
Main and N. 2nd Streets which is now occupied by the National Tea
Co. The National Tea has purchased the
building located at 2nd and Main streets which is now occupied by the Penney
store.
Miss Gehrke Manager of the Kraft Store here
The
Watertown News, 07 25 1917
Miss Emily
Gehrke has been appointed manager of the George Kraft 5 and 10 cent store here [113 E. Main] after being in charge
the past three months. Miss Gehrke has been in the employ of this
store ever since it started here five years ago.
Her
promotion comes in the way of a reward for her conscientious efforts during the
time she was working as a clerk. Her industry and willingness to do
any assigned task has finally brought her a fitting reward.
“This
is the first time in the history of this concern, which controls thirty-one
stores in all the large cities, that a woman has been appointed manager,” said
A. L. Baird, head of the concern, in an interview.
“This
is in the way of an experiment to see if a woman can fill a man’s place,” he
continued. “So far she is conducting it successfully and if she
continues to do the amount of business done in the past
she will have no trouble to retain her position.” said Mr. Baird.
“I find
the counters and stock room in the best shape of any of our stores throughout
the country. It has been very hard the past months for anyone to buy
intelligently for prices on articles formerly sold for five cents now cost
fifteen, and some goods cannot be obtained at all. To show a fair
profit on an article and still have quality, one’s judgment is put to a severe
test. Miss Gehrke has not only met this test but has shown that with
conditions adverse to showing a profit balance on the ledger equaling former
years she has nearly doubled the profit of past years,” Mr. Baird concluded.
Watertown
Republican, 12 26 1894
One of
the oddest customs in modern society is that of the conducting of a rehearsal
of the wedding ceremony in church.
It
gives a curiously theatrical air to the event, and surely does something to
lessen the solemnity of what should be the most sacred moment in two
lives. This preliminary practice common, no doubt, causes the actual
ceremony to proceed with a "smartness" suggested of machinery but
there is a loss in sentiment and in religious feeling.
A
little more simplicity in the arrangements would obviate
the necessity of rehearsals. What with "maids of honor"
and "flower girls," to say nothing of bridesmaids and all the other
adjuncts some modern weddings are more like stage functions than anything else.
Dad’s diagnosis moved
son
Wisconsin
State Journal, Jul 23, 2022
KNOW
YOUR MADISONIAN: Dr. Nathaniel Chin, who grew up in Watertown and got
undergraduate and medical degrees from UW-Madison, planned to specialize in
infectious diseases. But during his internal medicine residency at
the University of California-San Diego, his father — a family medicine doctor
in Watertown — was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
That
led Chin to switch to geriatrics and return in 2015 to Wisconsin, where he is
medical director of UW’s Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research
Center. He is also medical director of the Wisconsin Registry for
Alzheimer’s Prevention, a longterm study of nearly 1,600 people, most with a
family history of the disease.
In
2017, the year before his father died, Chin started Dementia Matters, a
biweekly podcast, in which he talks to guests about research findings,
caregiving challenges and lifestyle tips.
Chin,
38, lives in Madison with wife Erin Chin, a program manager at the Alzheimer’s
Disease Research Center. The couple grew up together in Watertown. . . . .
Featured
article by David Wahlberg, Wisconsin State Journal, Jul 23, 2022
Watertown
Daily Times, 11 19 1939
At the
meeting of the Lincolnette Sunshine Girls Council, No. 13, held this week in
Castle Hall the following officers were installed for the ensuing six months:
Royal
princess, Barbara Arzberger; Charity, Neva Schmeichel; Friendship, Dolores
Schmeichel; Royal Prelate, Elaine Loeffler; Royal Recorder, Esther Smith; Royal
Exchequer, Lucille Peterson; Royal Guide, Jean Thies; Mystic One, Elaine
Schoechart; Royal Warder, Myrl Zoeller; Royal Sentinel, Florence Jungmann;
Pianist, Eleanor Schoechert; Press Correspondent, Dorothy Busshardt. The
trustees for the organization included Eloise Rose, Neva Schmeichel and Marion
Koerner. Mrs. Nellie Deist of the Pythian Sisters was re-elected as royal
adviser. The group's councilors will be Mrs. Elsie Koerner, Mrs. Doris
Arzberger and Mrs. Eleanor Schoechert, Chester Knick and Gus Gloger.
Elaine’s will hold its Grand Opening
Watertown
Daily Times, 09 15 1989
Elaine’s
will hold its grand opening celebration beginning Friday at its new location,
104 E. Main St. [location now part of Keck’s], according to owners Elaine Beyer
and Lyn Quinn. The 10-day celebration will feature specials
throughout the store as well as door prizes and refreshments. The
store recently reopened in a new building across the street from its former
location at 115 E. Main St. The business was temporarily located at
100 E. Madison St. during the summer months until the new facility was completed. The
store occupies the west 24x70 feet of a new addition to Keck’s Furniture Store
which will celebrate its grand opening in the near future.
Karmelkorn Shop and
Lunch Room
Watertown
Daily Times, 01 11 1932
New
Karmelkorn Shop and Lunch Room opened 110 South Third Street, formerly occupied
by Kuenzi Cigar Co.
Genealogy Note
<> Herman Schliebe
Derived
from “The Grosnick Family History, A Wisconsin Immigrant Family” by
Edward Seefelt, 1992, pp 161-164 [Grosenick] [Seefeldt]
. . .
When Herman was eleven years old he was
shanghaied off the street in his hometown in Germany and put aboard a sailing
vessel where he served as a Captain's boy. He was not allowed to set
foot on land for four years because they feared he would escape. He
was aboard ship for thirteen years.
When he
was eighteen he had to serve in the German Navy for a
period of six years. When his ship entered New York harbor in 1887,
he was 24 years old and in his last year of compulsory service.
Because
it would be his last chance to do so, Herman had laid his plans to leave his
ship and go to his brothers Karl and Wilhelm, who were living in America.
One
night after dark, Herman jumped over the side of the
ship and swam to shore, about a half mile away, leaving
everything. He even had pay coming which he gave up. The
German navy reported him as a deserter when they discovered his absence and
immigration agents picked him up off the street. The German Navy
tried to get him back but he was granted
asylum.
This is
his story of leaving New York and arriving in Chicago TO CATCH A TRAIN FOR
WATERTOWN, WISCONSIN, where he visited his brother, an uncle and
cousins.
It is
told in his own words with his Germanic expressions and accent. . . .
[Family
history book is in our collection]
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 16 1931
New
filling station to be erected at North Fourth and Green streets [716 N. Fourth] , on the Boetcher property
"Colossus"
is coming to town
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 25 1931
"Colossus",
the 68 ton, 55' long captive whale will be exhibited in Watertown for 3 days at
the railroad siding at the Northwestern Railroad freight station.
Cross
reference note:
Transcontinental
Tour of the Captive Whale
Press
at the time reported that the whale was “pickled."
"Apparently
it took “3,200 gallons of embalming fluid to bring it to its present state of
perfection . . . . “the fat lady of the
open seas” was a “monster 55-foot California Finback Whale, 68 tons of
whalebone and blubber.”
1429 East Main
J. E.
Pagenkopf has opened a new model filling and service station lunch room at 1429
East Main Street, just below “hospital hill.”
Deeg's closes after 34
years
Deeg's Restaurant 1988 –
2022 / 1002 West Main Street
Watertown Daily Times, 09 16 2022
Watertown Arts
Festival
Watertown
Daily Times, 07 26 1992
A record
high of $36,000 in total sales was spent on artwork
Sunday afternoon when hundreds of art lovers took advantage of warm, sunny and breezy weather to attend the Watertown Arts
Festival held at Riverside Park. Although buyers were in abundance,
many people came to the outdoor event simply to enjoy the cultural experience,
classical musical entertainment, food and
refreshments. Sales were substantially increased over last year when
bad weather may have hampered attendance. Total sales for the arts
festival in 1991 were over $30,000 despite a rainy
afternoon. Ninety-one artists were on hand this year to show their
work which included original paintings or prints, photographs, pottery,
jewelry, copper etchings, fabric sculpture, stained glass, stoneware, metal
sculpture, woodcuts and many other forms of art.
Schmutzler Cycle Sales
Watertown
Daily Times, 12 05 1969
Schmutzler
Cycle Sales has moved into its new facility at 710 Lafayette
Street. The new structure, 40 feet by 84 feet, is located on one and
two-tenths acres of land previously owned by Otto Biefeld Company.
Construction
of the building began in April of 1969 by Otto Gruncel and Sons, Inc., of
Oconomowoc. The building was designed by Roger and Alice Schmutzler
and plans were made by Reuben Schulz.
The
building includes a large showroom and roomy service area for the repair of
motor cycles and bicycles.
Also
included in the building is a parts room, office, restroom and
boiler room. Hyrdonic heating is utilized in the structure.
The service
area includes two hydraulic hoists which can lift 1,500 pounds each for
servicing cycles.
Harley
Davidson motorcycles, and bicycles have been sold by the firm since it was
begun by Ben Schmutzler in 1912.
A
complete line of Schwinn bicycles was added in 1925 and between 1930 and 1960
the firm also sold radio, paint, wallpaper and
glass.
The
business returned to the selling of motorcycles in
1943 when a son, Roger, joined the firm. Roger assumed control of the business
in 1960.
Ecological Chemical
Products Co. (Ecochem)
Watertown
Daily Times, 08 18 1992
A site
on Watertown's west side is being considered for a new biodegradable plastics
manufacturing plant that would employ as many as 100
workers. Officials from Ecological Chemical Products Co. announced
at a press conference today that Watertown was one of the Midwestern sites
still in the running for the facility, which is expected to start operations in
late 1995. Plant manager Anthony V. Scancella declined to name the
other sites under consideration, although he said the firm's initial list of 30
communities has been "narrowed considerably." The firm,
known as Ecochem, plans to manufacture a raw material known as polylactide at
the new facility. Ecochem officials say the product, made from
cheese whey and corn, is biodegradable.
"Cotton Shop" / Budget Shop
Watertown
Daily Times, 07 18 1940
The
dress shop formerly called the "Cotton
Shop" which was located at 105 E. Main Street has moved to its new
quarters at 115 E. Main Street and will now be known as "The Budget
Shop," occupying the quarters where Huber's Grocery Store has been
situated.
Sabin Drug Store
Watertown
Daily Times, 07 25 1940
The
Sabin Drug Store, which for the past 14 years has been located in
the Miller Building, N. Fourth and Main, will relocate to the Strauss
Building at [201] S. Third and Market.
Tony Martin stops for
Soda
Watertown Daily Times, 07 14 1940
Tony Martin,
radio and screen star and former husband of
Alice Faye, stopped off in Watertown for a soda yesterday, while enroute to
Madison where he was to appear in a stage production today. Two
gals, who were gulping sodas and recognized Tony when he spoke, almost swallowed
their straws.
Buffalo Inn aptly
named
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 11 1941
A. P.
Weber of the Buffalo Inn recently brought two
buffalo to Watertown. They are now in a stable and runway
not visible from the highway. Mr. Weber plans, however, to fix up a
nice spot for them in the near future so they may be
seen by autoists who pass along that way.
River Road Hermit
Watertown
Daily Times, 11 16 1932
August
Wilke, local hermit genius, was buried in Ebenezer
Moravian cemetery with simple rites. August lived in a hut
on the banks of the Rock river and was known as “the hermit of the River Road”
and was a mathematical genius. He could speak 11 languages fluently. . . . .
416 N Washington
Street note
10 30
2022
My
parents, Dr & Ethel Bergmann bought the home at 416 N Washington Street in
1945.
In my
notes, I had written that 416 was a renovated Colonial Revival cream brick
1890's home.
The
longer portion of the home on the North side was the original
home. It is now the living room with fire place, sun porch, two
bedrooms upstairs and a basement. The basement had rough walls and in my era, a laundry room, fruit cellar and a shower (I
wonder if that was the original bathroom). The attic on the original portion
had slanted crawl space near the from and back of the attic.
I believe
my parents renovated the upstairs bathroom and added the powder room off the
kitchen.
There
was a coal shoot off the drive way on the north side and the coal bin
eventually became the fruit cellar when an oil furnace was installed.
I
believe that the home was added on to in the 1890's and the basic shape remains
to this time.
There was a maid’s quarters on the third
floor. It was a knotty pine play room where my brothers had an
extensive train set in our era.
I
believe that there was an interior enclosed stair well from the maids quarters to the kitchen. My parents
removed it and the two entry closets were
installed in its place. The front entry closet was next to the more
open stairwell and the back garment closet is off the kitchen. My
parents revamped the kitchen in the 1950's.
I
believe that Abby & Bill Potter added the window shutters. There
were none when we lived there. They also added the
swimming pool. The long driveway on the south side of the home leads
to the two-plus car garage. Peonies bordered that driveway in my
era.
The
front porch was screened in summer. The back porch was also screened
but soon it was enclosed.
Jean
Bergmann, Wiechmann / Elysian,
MN
Schmitty's Bakery to
move
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 25 1929
August
Schmidt, better known as "Schmitty the baker," will open a bake shop
of his own at 210 N. 2nd Street on Saturday, 4/27/29, the place formerly
occupied by the Leo Nuffz Bakery. It will be known as
"Schmitty's Bakery." (removed for parking lot)
Watertown
Daily Times, 05 27 1938
Schmitty's
Bakery [August Schmidt] will soon move to its new location at 411 East Main
Street where the Schubert Restaurant [William Schubert] has been located for
many years [and later became location for Central Bake Shop and Freeberg’s
Bakery]. The bakery is now located at 117 N. 3rd Street.
[later
became location for Central Bake Shop and Freeberg’s Bakery. 84
years later [2022] finds newly-opened Chandler
House Bakery at 411 E Main].
Oriental Cockroaches
Watertown
Daily Times, 06 09 1938
City
Launches Fight on Millions of Oriental Cockroaches which have been
infesting the dumping grounds at the foot of Jones Street in the 11th Ward....
Television Will Be
Demonstrated
Watertown
Daily Times, 01 03 1948
Because of the greatly increased
interest in television, the Nowatzke Radio Service [Bernard Nowatzke] at 406
Main Street is now prepared to provide television service in the Watertown area
and will soon have an announcement of interest to make through the advertising
columns of the Daily Times it was announced.
B. C.
Nowatzke has installed a set in his home at 604 Dodge Street and anyone who is
interested in a demonstration may see one there on Sunday evening during the one hour evening broadcast from Milwaukee.
From 8
to 9 p.m. Sunday WTMJ-TV will include the following programs: Choral
concert, newsreel, selected film subjects and Sunday evening theatre film.
Cross
Reference Note:
The
station had previously held public demonstrations at the Milwaukee Home Show
and at local department stores in 1947, playing a key promotional role for
commercial television in the area. In 1948, WTMJ-TV began airing network
programming from NBC, CBS, and ABC in addition to its own original content.
Must Have Sleigh Bells
Watertown
Daily Times, 01 07 1902
Notice is hereby given
the public that Section 5 of Ordinance 162 of the City of Watertown relating to
the placing of sleigh bells on horses or sleds will be enforced, as there is
danger when it is not complied with.
The
section reads:
Section
5. No person shall drive any horse before a sleigh or sled or other vehicle
upon runners, upon or through any streets, avenues or highways of the City of
Watertown unless there shall be sufficient numbered bells attached to the
horses or such horse or other sleigh or sled or other vehicle to warn persons
of the approach of such horse and vehicle, under a penalty of ten dollars for
each offense, to be paid by the driver, owner or person having charge.
H. C.
Block Chief of Police.
Lakeland Music Stores
Watertown
Daily Times, 08 30 1964
Lakeland
Music Stores of Oconomowoc today announced the sale of its Watertown branch
store at 415 Main Street to Harry Erickson, effective next
Monday. The Watertown branch will be closed Monday and will reopen
in a new location which will be announced later at the Erickson Music School, a
division of Warren-Schey House of Music, which is located on the second floor
of Warren’s Jewelry. A detailed announcement will be made later.
Glenn’s Market
Addition
Watertown
Daily Times, 09 05 2008
An
approximately 8,400-squarefoot addition to Glenn’s Market and Catering on West
Main Street was approved Monday by the Watertown Site Plan Review
Committee. According to Glenn Roberts, owner of Glenn’s Market and
Catering, the new addition on the east side of the current building will house
a Mexican meat department. “As far as the inside goes, it’s just
going to be more of the same thing we are doing right now, except for on the
right side we are going to put in a Mexican meat market,” Roberts
said. Roberts also said the new department will have its own
entrance, but customers will be able to access the whole building from the
inside. He added both sections will use the same cash register
system.
Watertown
Daily Times, 05 18 1971
A
Goodyear tire and service store is to be constructed in Watertown in the near future, according to Harry Wendel of the
Goodyear district office in Milwaukee.
The
store will be located at the corner of North Fifth and Main
streets. The site includes three properties. They are the
former Christ United Methodist Church, former Kehr Brothers Heating, and the
former Hilary Reichardt home on 109 North Fifth Street.
Construction
is to begin soon and be completed within 90 to 120 days after work begins.
The
land will include parking for approximately 25 vehicles and will offer a
complete mechanical shop including brake work, wheel alignment, tire work, sale
of tires and many other areas. A truck bay
and farm tire bay are included in the plan.
An
appliance and television store will be included in the business. The
facility will employ about six persons
The
Cultivator & Country Gentleman, 1886.
Seeing
the fruit of the wild or black cherry so plentiful one naturally covets a place
for it in the domestic economy and some readers may be glad to know that it
forms the basis of a very pleasant and refreshing drink. To every
quart of the fruit which should be gathered before it is thoroughly ripe allow
a cupful of water and boil for twenty minutes stirring frequently in order to break the berries. A few peach
leaves serve to heighten the flavor and if a somewhat acidic drink is preferred
the addition of a little rhubarb will be considered an improvement.
Strain
off the juice (without pressing) through a sieve or thin bag and return it to
the fire with half a cupful of sugar to every pint. Boil for five
minutes, skim thoroughly, and put in bottles while hot. If sealed
tightly it ought to keep well. The syrup is
also useful in making pudding-sauces and fruit-ices and its piquant color makes
it as attractive to the eye as to the palate.
In
addition to its merely agreeable qualities the wild cherry enjoys a reputation
for very considerable medicinal virtue.
Watertown
Daily Times, 06 30 2007
The
Watertown Plan Commission put its support behind the master plan and the arts
and interpretation plan for the river walk project along the Rock River from
Cady Street to Milwaukee Street. The two plans submitted by
Vandewalle and Associates of Madison must also get approval from the Water-town
Common Council. According to city Planner Mike Slavney, approving
the plans does not require the city to spend any money or complete any of the
projects. "But if you want to go forward as a city and do the
projects, having this done enables the city to qualify for some grants and it
enables the city to budget for these items," Slavney added.
Watertown Daily Times, 08 18 1967
The
city of Watertown is expected to receive in the neighborhood
of $50,000 from the estate of the late Arthur Pohlmann, a native of
Watertown who died in Milwaukee where he had resided for many years, according
to information received by the Daily Times news
department. The estate will probably be settled in December,
according to present indications. An inventory of the estate has
established it at some $61,000. Under terms of Mr. Pohlmann's will
there are several bequests and after these have been made the residue of the
estate is to go to the city of Watertown. The money is to be used to
aid poor people in Watertown.
Beer Depot Sold to Milwaukeeans.
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 04 1948
The
former Horck's Beer Depot at 838 W. Main Street has been sold to Mr. & Mrs.
Harley Kunze of Milwaukee who are now operating it. It was announced
by the new owners that they are adding new merchandise and are also installing
a large walk-in cooler for the convenience of customers. (Became
Rex's Beer Depot in early 1950s)
Watertown
Daily Times, 08 19 1967
With
Watertown's Main Street reconstruction project entering its final stages, three
downtown business concerns have begun to carry out their improvement programs.
They are installing new store fronts. The biggest project of the three is at
the D. & F. Kusel Co., store building in West Main Street where work was
begun yesterday. Warren's Jewelry Co., at 111 Main Street, is also installing a
new front and the third change is at the Mallach Pharmacy, 315 Main Street.
216 North Fourth
Street
Watertown
Daily Times, 07 20 1967
Robert
A. Lessner, 1024 Boughton. Street, agent for State Farm Mutual Insurance Co.,
has purchased the property at 216 North Fourth Street, now occupied by the
Harvey E. Petzold Hobby Shop.
Mr.
Lessner, who has lived in Watertown most of his life and who has been in the
insurance business the last eight years, said he will take possession of the
property Sept. 1. He plans extensive remodeling of the building for
offices which he will occupy and from which he will operate his insurance
business.
Mr. Petzold who has operated his shop for the past 12 years at
the North Fourth Street location is planning to retire temporarily because of
poor health.
Remembrances:
If I
remember correctly, Harvey Petzold had a slot car race track in the
store. Am I right?
Larry
Eckert My brother and I spent a lot of time racing slot cars there.
The
Petzold"s were very friendly and very patient with us
kids. They lived right next door. Grandma Petzold
lived upstairs and they lived
downstairs. Bought my first train from them
Firewood
Watertown Daily Times, 02 19 1930
A
farmer's bobsleigh loaded with cordwood was seen in town the other day, quite a
curiosity these days. Time was when Market Street for two blocks was
congested in the winter with sleighs loaded with cordwood and sleighs loaded
with hay. That time is gone forever; so are the men who presided
over the measuring and weighing of the loads.
Helen's Hat Box
102 East Main Street
Mrs. Helen Smith
Watertown
Daily Times, 02 20 1930
Helen's
Hat Box to be opened to the public Saturday in quarters formerly occupied by
Woodard's Millinery and before that by Mrs. Clara Weis.
123 N. Water Street
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 13 1930
A new
store building which will include a basement 70' long and 22' wide will be
erected shortly at 123 N. Water Street by the owner, William Spear. The
building will contain a living flat and plenty of storage space in the
basement, a much needed innovation in that section of
the city.
New Offices Above
Bittner & Tetzlaff Drug Stores
Watertown
Daily Times, 06 30 1930
Dr. E. H.
Cook, who for over 20 years had his office in the Hoffman- Kelly Co. building,
occupies a suite of rooms in the front of the building. A. J. Tanck, has the next suite and the rooms farther back
are occupied by District Attorney Harold W. Hartwig who was formerly in the
Woolworth building, Dr. J. J. O'Connell, who for 18 years had his office above
the Hinzmann Barber Shop, N. 2nd Street, and First Church of Christ,
Scientists. In the rooms that Dr. O'Connell now occupies hundreds of
old circus and theatrical programs dating from 25 to 30 years back were posted
over the walls.
First Model Home
Watertown
Daily Times, 07 31 1930
Watertown's
First Model Home is being completed and furnished this week. It is
being constructed by Edward Heger (carpenter/contractor) and is located at 108
N. Maple Street. It is copied after the English architecture.
Fulleman's Cash
Grocery
Watertown
Daily Times, 07 22 1930
Mr.
& Mrs. B. F. Fulleman (Benedict & Mae) will open a new grocery store in
a new neighborhood at 1104 Jones Street and will be known as Fulleman's Cash
Grocery. The store is housed in a new building with residence
quarters in the rear. Street view of this location
1933 Packard
Watertown
Daily Times, 08 05 1992
Quite a
few heads turn when Dr. William Buchholtz drives by in his "new" 1933
Packard. The Watertown dentist enjoys traveling around town in the
antique car now that he has finally got it put together. It took him
awhile to assemble it after buying it in pieces, sight unseen, with no manual
or examples for reference. "It's one of only nine Model 1003
1933 Packards left in the country and none of the others are in a museum,"
running condition or even in a museum," said the proud owner, who
had never before restored car. Although
the vehicle is not just a "show" car, it will be entered in
competition judging at the Watertown Auto Show to be held Sunday, Aug. 9, from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverside Park in conjunction with Riverfest. The
car, a two-tone blue van with a leather top, made its debut showing in
Watertown's Fourth of July parade, but it is often seen around town when
Buchholtz is driving to work or running errands. "I have no
interest in just having it for parades and shows. It's a driving car
and I like taking it around town," he said.
Luis Mattioli
Watertown
Daily Times, 06 17 1967
As a
small boy in Argentina, Luis Mattioli dreamed of some day going to the United
States. As the years went by he
became more and more fascinated with the United States and his admiration and
interest grew and grew. Last year he realized his dream. when he was
selected as a Foreign Exchange student and was assigned to
Watertown. Even before he came here his classmates and friends in
Argentina, knowing about his dream and his admiration for the United States,
called him "Yankee" and it became his nickname. He is
proud of that. Now, after having been in Watertown since last August the time is approaching when he must return to his
homeland. He will be happy to see his home again, his family and his
friends, he said today, but he will also be sad at leaving Watertown.
Watertown
Daily Times, 09 12 1927
Comfort
Station for Watertown Now Underway. Work has started on the creation
of a municipal comfort station to be located on First Street on the Edward A.
Schultz automobile parking space. The building is to be 14 x 20 and
is located directly in the back of the filling station operated by Mr.
Schultz. The structure will be of tile and stucco and will be modern
in design and equipment. There will be a compartment for men and
another for women.
NE
corner of South First and Jefferson streets (assumed). At this time
Edward A. Schultz ran a garage at 104-106 Jefferson Street.
401 South Fifth Street
Watertown
Daily Times, 09 02 1927
One of
the old landmarks on the east side is being torn down to make room for a modern
home to be built on its site. The new home of Dutch colonial style
will be erected by the owner, Donald Macinnes. The old building was
erected many years ago at the [SE] corner of 5th and Dodge Streets and was
owned and occupied for over half a century by the late James Killian, a pioneer
blacksmith of Watertown, and his family. The residence was built
about 65 years ago.
Cross
reference notes:
Donald
Macinnes (wife Bessie) was manager of Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co. in
Watertown
216 South Second
Street
Fine Residence Being Erected on Second Street
Watertown
Daily Times, 08 10 1922
There
is now under construction at the corner of Jefferson and S. Second Streets, one
of the most substantial and beautiful residences in Watertown. The
owner, Frank Wilke, one of the leading farmers of this vicinity, residing 3
miles from Watertown on the Milford Road, purchased the premises sometime ago
and razed the old solid brick residence which stood there for over 50
years. The new structure is 32 x 34' and contains 7
rooms. The exterior will be veneered with red Indiana brick and
white mortar points.
901 South Tenth Street
Watertown Daily Times, 04 25 1922
John
Jansky of the Watertown Press has just completed arrangements for the
construction of a beautiful house at the corner of 10th and Carr streets.
215 North Fourth
Street Razed
Old Landmark Razed - Timbers Well
Preserved
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 25 1922
With
the razing of the old frame building at 215 N. 4th
Street an old landmark is removed. The floor beams were
small trees, level on the upper side to receive the floor and the rest of the
log still retained the bark in place just as it came down from the
woods. The place for many years was occupied by Herman Yahr
as his home and bakery. It has been standing probably 70 years.
1889
City Directory
DEATH SUMMONS
MR. ERNST YAHR
The
Watertown News, 08 Jun 1906
Pioneer
Resident Passed Away Yesterday Morning—Former Citizen Dies. Ernst Yahr, aged 77
years, passed away at his late residence, 809 Eighth street, yesterday morning
after an illness throughout the winter and spring with
rheumatism. Deceased was born in Prussia, Germany, November 12,
1830, and has been a resident of Watertown for the past twenty
years. He formerly conducted a bakery
on North Fourth Street. A widow and three sons survive.
The sons are Ernst, Emil and
Herman, all residing outside the city. The funeral will be held
Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 at the home and the Evangelical Protestant church at
2 o’clock. Interment
will be in Oak Hill cemetery.
Molzahn Drug Store
Watertown
Republican, 04 11 1894
During the
past week John Molzahn has placed in his drug store [109 West Main, removed] a
capacious fountain of handsome design and finish for the dispensing of soda
water, manufactured by the Hartt company, of Chicago. It is made of
Tennessee marble, with trimmings of onyx, and is surmounted by a large,
attractive mirror. It is indeed a thing of beauty, and John is
anxiously awaiting the time when the ever-thirsty "summer girl" (as
well as others) will seek his fountain as a haven of interest and a cause for
the expenditure of spare nickels and dimes.
Ernest Compondu
04 04
1894
On
Monday evening a shooting affray took place in G. Evans livery stable but
happily was not attended with serious results. A former employe of
Mr. Evans, named Ernest Compondu, who had been
discharged not long since, had threatened vengence and undertook to "get
even, "as he called it, by firing a pistol at Mr. Evans, at the same time
attempting to shoot Paul Beminski, who was present. In the flurry of
excitement and under cover of darkness, Compondu made his escape, and is
probably now beyond the reach of the law.
Paul Kohlhoff
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 24 1969
Paul
Kohlhoff, 27, of 506 West Cady Street, is the manager of the new West Side
Citgo Service Station, which will open on Monday, April
21. Kohlhoff, a 1960 graduate of Watertown High School, has lived in
Watertown all his life. He has been an auto mechanic since
1959. For the past five years he was employed by Stienmann Motors,
Oconomowoc. Before that he worked five years for Schlei Olds in
Watertown.
P. J. Burke
Watertown
Gazette, 04 20 1894
P.J.
Burke has broken ground for the erection of a 26 x 54 brick store building and
a brick barn 12 x 16 feet on the property recently purchased by him on Water
street, south, just north of J.D. Casey's wagon works. This will be a great
improvement on that street, and will no doubt prove a paying investment.
Joel Spaude
Watertown Daily Times, 09 08 1992
Being a missionary has many heavenly rewards, but the earthly opportunity to chomp on burgers isn't among them. After greeting family and friends upon arrival in Watertown, Joel Spaude headed for McDonald's. "I've always liked quarter pounders with cheese and it was a real treat," said the former Watertown resident who has been a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod missionary in Zambia, Africa, for the past two years. Spaude and his family are home on leave from Zambia in the southern part of Africa where he supervises 18 churches with the help of lay workers. All of the churches are within a 100-mile radius of his home base but traveling can be hazardous on the mud roads, especially after a rain. They enjoy living in Africa and have no regrets about accepting the opportunity to help others find God.
Women's Relief Corps <> First Anniversary
Watertown
Republican, 04 20 1894
The Women's Relief Corps celebrated their first anniversary by holding a reception at Grand Armory Hall on Thursday evening of last week. There was a large audience present, and the entertainment was thoroughly enjoyed by all. It consisted of vocal solos by Messrs. Wm. Sproesser and Ed. Schempf, a vocal duet by Mrs. P. Valarius and Miss Angeline Boyne, piano solos by the Misses Kunert and Sproesser, recitation by Thos. Bergen and Miss Mary Daub, followed by refreshments and a social hop. The whole affair was pleasing and instructive, and the ladies of the Relief Corps have inaugurated a yearly celebration that is well worthy of encouragement.
The Gem Restaurant
Watertown
Republican, 12 23 1910
A New Restaurant < The Gem will be the name of a new restaurant which will be opened about January 1 at No. 11 Main Street. The proprietor will be George J. Gatterdam of this city and the necessary fixtures will be put in place soon. Mr. Gatterdam has purchased some of the Sterling furniture as that restaurant has been closed and a grocery store will be started in that building soon. There seems no good reason why with proper management a restaurant cannot be made to return a fair profit to the owner here with good management.
107 West Main Street
New Candy and Ice
Cream Shop
Watertown Gazette, 06 04 1914
New Candy Store <> E. M. O’Byrne, who conducts an ice cream parlor and candy store in Main Street, has rented the Hawkins store [William N Hawkins, confectioner] at 107 West Main Street, formerly occupied by Mrs. W. C. Vick, and will use the same for the manufacture of candy and ice cream to supply his present store [uncertain location], as lack of room makes the move necessary. He will also conduct a retail candy store in his new quarters and will occupy the living rooms on the second floor.
Hafemeister Building
To Open Next Saturday
in N. 3rd Street
Watertown Daily Times, 11 10 1932
Main floor (111-115 N Third) will be occupied by Watertown Building & Loan and G. H. Hafemeister, realtor and owner of the building.
The upper suites are occupied by the Platz Studio and Dr. L. H. Bruxer and Dr. A. W. Briethaupt.
Herman Tetzlaff
Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Lime and Portland Cement, Adamant, Sand and Gravel, Sewer Pipe, Flue Lining, Wall Coping, Fire Brick and Fire Clay; Coal and Wood;
No. 800 West Main Street, Near Northwestern Depot; Telephone 47-X
Has the only plant of this kind in that part of the city, located north of Watertown junction and directly opposite Northwestern Railroad depot on West Main Street, occupying one main building 22x50, with coal sheds separate.
His supplies in cement and other building material are received in car lots, handling the Lehigh brand of Portland cement from Mason City, Iowa, while lime, adamant, sand and gravel are all received from Janesville, Wis., fire brick, fire clay, flue lining, etc., from Chicago manufacturers, wall coping and sewer pipe are obtained from the W. H. Pipkorn Co., of Milwaukee, being prepared to supply anything in these lines for building construction.
Mr. H. Tetzlaff has supplied the building material for buildings of all kinds in city and country, the trade covering a radius of 10 or 12 miles in Dodge and Jefferson counties.
A large business is done in coal and wood, hard and soft coal in the best grades being received from the Reiss Coal Co., at Sheboygan, while hard and soft wood are brought from northern points. Both coal and wood are delivered all over the city, using four teams and employing four men.
The business was established by Mr. W. H. Tetzlaff this line 30 years ago, being one of the oldest dealers and was previously engaged for many years as builder and contractor. His business this season is larger than ever.
From “Watertown and Jefferson County Trade
Review,” Dec 1916
1211 Western Avenue
Watertown Daily Times, 02 04 1941
Dr. D. R. Caine, Watertown dentist, has purchased the home at 1211 Western Avenue from Mrs. Clara A. Nowack.
The home was originally built by the late Max G. Kusel, one time president of Schempf Bros. Company.
It is one of the most beautiful residences in the city....
Genealogy note: Max Kusel had married Amanda Schempf
Advent of Television
Announced by RCA
Watertown Daily Times, 04 20 1939
(New York) The advent of television, long heralded as the beginning of a new American industry, was announced today by David Sarnoff, president of the Radio Corporation of America, in a television broadcast from the RCA exhibit building at the New York's World Fair grounds.
"Today we are on the eve of launching a new industry," Sarnoff said, "based on imagination, on scientific research and accomplishment. We are now ready to fulfill the promise made to the public last October when the Radio Corporation of America announced that television program service and commercial television receivers would be made available to the public with the opening of the New York's World Fair."
The ceremonies at the fairgrounds were attended by a group of business and professional men who inspected the new commercial television receivers which go on sale this week.
Eight miles away in the RCA building at Rockefeller Center an audience watched and heard the ceremonies.
"It is with a feeling of humbleness that I came to this moment of announcing the birth in this country of a new art so important in the implications that it is bound to affect all society," Sarnoff said. "It is an art which shines like a torch of hope in a troubled world. It is a creative force which we must learn to utilize for the benefit of all mankind."
The television models on display ranged from an attachment which reproduces pictures only and which plugs into a radio set for sound, to a large console type combination television and sound radio receiver, employing a 12" kinescope tube.
The attachment model is the direct-viewing type showing pictures 3 3/8" deep by 4 3/8" wide and the larger model reproduces pictures 7 3/8" by 9 3/4" in size which are reflected from a mirror in the lid of the cabinet. Prices of the television attachment will be about $175.00.
Complete sight and sound receivers will be prices from about $300.00 to $600.00.
Lawrence Beaulieu
Watertown
Gazette, 07 17 1891
Lawrence Beaulieu is daily serving hundreds of our people with freshly popped popcorn---hot from the popper---at the corner of 1st and Main streets, only 5 cents a bag. Try his corn once and you will frequently patronize him.
Mannegold house
Jossi & Habhegger
Cold Storage
Watertown
Republican, 07 22 1891
The Mrs. H. Mannegold house and lot on North First Street, next to Evans' livery stable, has been sold to Jossi & Habhegger, for which $1,250 was paid. A cold storage will be erected on the sight.
Watertown
Republican, 08 19 1891
Digging the cellar for
the cold storage building of Habhegger & Jossi, on First Street, a clam
shell was found embedded in the lime stone six feet down in the rock. How it got there is a question that would be
puzzling to geologists.
Showers of cotton to
diminish
Watertown Daily Times, 07 21 1939
The large cottonwood tree that has stood in the back yard of the old Molzahn Tavern on Madison Street for more years than many people know, has been cut down. Several days were required to remove the huge tree, one of the largest in the area.
The tree was the source of much annoyance at certain times of the year when veritable showers of cotton were wafted over a large section of the city. That will happen no more, for the old giant has come down.
It's too bad to destroy trees like this one, but it would have its disadvantages due to the showers of cotton-like substance all over the city each year.
Cross reference note: At the time (1939) we have this location (NW corner of E Madison and N Third streets) as the tavern of Henry Kellerman.
John Ritzie
Watertown Gazette, 07 31 1891
On last Friday night John Ritzie, of the 6th ward, claimed that his home was entered by three tramps in search of his money, and that he was badly used by them. He lives alone on the old May sawmill site, and he says he had some $600 in cash in the house which the tramps had evidently been in search of. At about 12 o'clock Mr. R. was aroused from his slumber by the tramps entering his house. On rising from bed he was taken hold of by the tramp and an effort made to tie and gag him. He got hold of his revolver in the struggle and succeeded in driving his assailants from the premises. In the encounter Ritzie received several severe cuts and bruises on the head. The guilty parties have undoubtedly skipped from the city.
Many doubt the truth of Ritzie's story, and believe he received his injuries in some other way.
Harding’s Turkish Baths at Cady Street Bridge
The Watertown News, 08 11 1875
J. Harding’s Turkish Baths in the 4th Ward, on [near] the West end of Cady Street Bridge
These baths are now in the full tide of successful operation and are highly commended by the medical faculty.
Parties who frequent them testify to their beneficial effects, and they are everywhere acknowledged without a superiority.
TRY THEM!
Many cases of Chronic Rheumatism have been cured, and there is scarcely an ailment for which they are not a specific.
REFERENCES: Dr. James Cody, Dr. W. C. Spalding, C. A. Sprague, J. H. Sleeper, Fred. Miller, D. W. Ballou, and many others, who have received great benefit from these beneficial bath treatments.
Baths at all hours, every day in the Week
Hours for Ladies—From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
Hours for Gentlemen—From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m
Two sets of rooms are now in full operation
J. HARDING, Prop’r.
_______________
The Watertown News, 11 Aug 1875, Wed ·Page 5
Harding has taken the Kneisel building [?], on the bank of the river, near the new iron bridge [Cady Street, but known as Broad Street at the time], and will at once proceed to its renovation and refitting for a thorough bathing establishment, supplying it with Turkish, Electric and Plunge Bath Rooms. The supply of water will come principally from the [nearby] FINE ARTESIAN FOUNTAIN belonging to the Soda Water manufactory of S. M. Eaton [301-311 N. Water] and will enter the building through a large iron pipe.
Lebanon's First White Child Dies Out West
Watertown Daily Times, 05 16 1924
Ferdinand F. Schley, a member of one of the old pioneer families of Wisconsin, died at his home at Groton, S.D., 5/5/24. He succumbed after a brief illness of 2 days.
Ferdinand Schley was born at Lebanon, 11/14/1843. Watertown at that time was a half dozen log huts.
The great emigration movement of the "Altlutheraner" from Germany to America had begun. The Schley family came from the "Kinderman expedition" on a fleet of 9 ships. Many of the "Altlutheraner" settled in the State of New York but the Schleys came to the territory of Wisconsin, and with 40 other families, founded Lebanon.
Shortly after their arrival, baby Ferdinand was born in a hastily erected Indian wigwam as the first white child born in that community. During the period of a long life, he was located in different states of the union.
Watertown is ideally located for a
Distribution Center
11 16 1970 <> Wisconsin School Service <> 820 West Street
Affiliate of The Eau Claire Book and Stationery Co.
The Eau Claire Book and Stationery Company has begun construction of its combination warehouse and office with display rooms.
The facility is being constructed on the West Road on a 22.5 acre plot of land which was purchased from the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce Promotive Corporation in July of 1969. A building permit for $320,000 was obtained by the firm.
The land is bounded by the West Road on the south and by the Madison line of the Milwaukee Road on the north. The 22.5-acre plot is part of the nearly 30-acre plot which the promotive corporation acquired from the Perfex Corporation of Milwaukee.
David Steven, president of the firm, in a letter to the promotive corporation last year, said the facility will be approximately 36,000 square feet of space. He said 6,000 square feet of space will be for the office and show rooms, and the remaining 30,000 feet for warehouse.
Steven, at the time of the land purchase, said the directors of his firm felt Watertown is ideally located for a distribution center. He pointed out that I-94 is only a few miles to the south and that highway 26 is only a short distance from the property.
Eau Claire Book and Stationery is an old established Wisconsin Firm. It originated at Eau Claire 85 years ago, in 1885. It sells school furniture and supplies, and office supplies and furniture and has a subsidiary, Graphic Printing Company.
1402 W. Main Street, 1412 W. Main, 610 Welsh
Road
12 02 2023
NAI Greywolf, an office of NAI Global, a leading global commercial real estate brokerage firm, represented the buyer in the purchase of three parcels in Watertown, Wisconsin, totaling $1.4 million.
The sale included three parcels of land, bordering Highway 26.
The parcels included: 1402 W. Main Street, 1412 W. Main Street and 610 Welsh Road.
The parcels were 34.35 acres, 14.87 acres and 37.59 acres, respectively. The total of all three parcels were just under 87 acres of land.
The land is slated for a potential new development, but no specific details have been determined at this time.
Boa Constrictor Found
03 17 1927
While handling bananas in the Watertown Produce Co. store at 212 W. Main Street (became location for Mullens) a young boa constrictor was discovered among the fruit and was captured and put into a glass jar. The reptile is 3 feet long and was lively enough considering the long distance he traveled. It is said that it seldom attains a length more than 11 feet.
Calf’s Foot Jelly
11 14 1874 <> Calves Foot Jelly (Petchah/Ptcha)
Take two calf’s feet and add to them one gallon of water, which reduce with boiling to one quart. Strain it, and when cold skim the fat entirely off. Add to this the whites of six eggs well beaten, a pint of wine, half a pound of loaf sugar, add the juice of four lemons and let them be well mixed. Boil the whole a few minutes, stirring constantly, and then pass it through a flannel strainer.
This forms a very nutritious article of diet for the sick and convalescent. The wine may be omitted or added at option.
What is calves foot jelly used for?
Petchah/Ptcha (Calf's Foot Jelly) Recipe - Food.com
It is served cold as an appetizer or as a cool snack
Judge W. D. Stacy
Judge W. D. Stacy died at 3:20 o’clock this morning at his home on North Warren Street of bronchitis and heart failure, with which he had been confined to his home only a few days. For the past year, however, his health had not been the very best and he had been failing gradually; still he continued to attend his duties as Justice of the Peace and insurance agent. Judge Stacy was born on Feb. 10, 1839, at Lindsay, Ontario, Canada, hence was in his 75th year when he died. He came to this section with his parents when 18 years of age and located on a farm southwest of this city. In his early life he taught school and conducted a farm. On Sept. 11, 1865, he was married at St. Bernard’s church, after which he and his wife resided on a farm southwest of Watertown; the family moved to this city 42 years ago, where the Judge engaged in the mercantile business in the building now occupied by the Huebner grocery in West Main Street. After disposing of his business, he was elected in April, 1881, Justice of the Peace, an office which he ably filled ever since. He was repeatedly elected supervisor of the Fourth ward and also represented the ward a number of times in the city council. He was one of the best read men in the city, and was an able accountant and was frequently consulted by others in a business way to help untangle their business affairs. Of a mild, good natured and congenial disposition, he in his quiet way made a friend of everybody he met; and but few people in Watertown did not know and esteem Judge Stacy. His death is sincerely mourned here. He was a member of Branch 85, Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, and carried $1000 insurance in the order. A delegation of the society will attend his funeral Saturday morning, which takes place from St. Bernard’s church at 9 o’clock. The interment will be in St. Bernard’s cemetery, beside the remains of his wife, son and daughter buried there. He is survived by his daughter, Mrs. Julius Podolski, with whom he made his home; W. J. Stacy of this city, Edward Stacy of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Frank Stacy of Dayton, Ohio, and Clem S. Stacy of Waterloo, all of whom were here before their father died. The family in their sad bereavement have the since sympathy of all our people.
The Metcalf Case
Geo. W. Bird and D. Hall have been in Washington, for the past week before the United States Supreme Court in an argument in the case of Metcalf against the city of Watertown. Metcalf is an Ohio man and began his suit against the city several years ago to recover judgements from the city on bonds. The case was tried in the United States court for the eastern district of the state and subsequently appealed to the United States supreme court. The case was argued at Washington last Monday.
Bertram & Sprague
Watertown Republican, 06 03 1891
Bertram & Sprague have just laid a splendid artificial stone sidewalk, of their manufacture, on the Fourth Street front of Wm. C. Raue's residence lot. This class of walks is becoming very popular, being artistic and handsome in appearance and has the durability of a lifetime.
Watertown Freak
Watertown Gazette, 06 19 1891
A freak, in the shape of a man practicing extreme economy, lives at Watertown. To save expenses he does not allow a light to burn in his house at night, and to reduce his clothing bill he will take off his pantaloons when he is resting in a chair in the evening. - Milwaukee Journal
We heard of a man
residing here who made a trip to Europe, taking a boiled ham with him for lunch
to save expenses, and on his return home brought the
bone of the ham back with him to use for soap grease, but never heard before of
the individual who the Journal refers to. Who is he?
Watertown Gazette
Tobacco-Squirting, Whisky-Soaked, and
Blear-Eyed
Watertown Gazette, 08 21 1891
EDITOR WATERTOWN GAZETTE --- This city is infested with a vile crowd of tobacco-squirting, whisky-soaked, blear-eyed gang of ruffians, who continually hang around the streets, insulting to passers-by, and who peer and lear at respectable and virtuous mothers and daughters, that are compelled to run the disreputable gauntlet in passing along the street. Is there no law by which this decay-onion and rot-gut smelling crew can be dispersed? They are not only a continual menace to the respectable and orderly element, but a standing disgrace to the good name of the city. When strangers, in passing through our otherwise beautiful city, set their eyes on this foul, vermin-eaten crew, they form a very poor opinion of the law and order, and decency and morality of this city. Do our officers owe their election to this nasty scum on the body politic? If not, why do they not drive this slimy excrescence from our the city.
A WEST-SIDER.
Charles Thorman
Watertown Gazette, 07 01 1891
Charles Thorman, living in the southern part of the town of Watertown, while driving a mower in his field Monday, cut off the right foot of his little 4-year-old daughter. The unfortunate little girl was playing in the grass unnoticed by the father. Dr. Werner attended the case and gives it as his opinion that the child will survive the injury.
Miss Anna Holland and Miss Mary Hanley
Watertown Gazette, 07 03 1891
Prof. Jackson's summer school opens at Rochester, Wis., next Monday. Miss Anna Holland and Miss Mary Hanley, two of our public school teachers, will be among his students, and they will no doubt receive much benefit from attending. All teachers who possibly can should attend a summer school for teachers, as much can be gained thereby and we are pleased to see that some of Watertown's teachers realize this.
Steam Threshers on Main Street
Watertown Republican, 08 26 1891
The steam thrasher going through Main Street Monday morning caused considerable excitement among the owners of teams hitched along the street at the time, and there was a general movement to give the machine a wide berth lest some accident occur with the horses. It should be understood once for all that steam threshers have no business traversing Main Street.
Pin Cushion
Watertown Gazette, 08 21 1891
Having read an account of 90 needles being found in a seventeen-year-old pin cushion after it was ripped open, a First ward lady having one in her possession some years less in use, became curious to see what it contained, and accordingly ripped it open, finding 264 needles therein, making a much more interesting case than the one she read of.
Businesses Close on Sunday
The merchants of Watertown closed their places of business for the first time on Sunday last as advertised, and all of them appeared to be well pleased with the new order of things. The Sunday closing of stores is a blessing to all concerned, and our city now begins to look as it should on the Sabath.
Fred Vergenz
Watertown Gazette, 08 28 1891
Last Saturday morning while Fred Vergenz, of the town of Watertown, was driving his team homeward-bound near the Third Street crossing of the C.M.&St.P.Ry., the tongue of the wagon dropped down, frightening the horses and causing them to run away. Vergenz was thrown violently out of the wagon against a telegraph pole, fatally injuring his spine, his death resulting therefrom the following morning. He was twenty years of age, and after being injured received the best of medical attention from Drs. Moulding and Whyte. His mother, who was in the wagon with them at the time, escaped with slight injuries. WG
History of
Watertown, Wisconsin