This file portion of www.watertownhistory.org website

 

Woodard & Stone

 

 

 

1837

 

In 1837 James Rogan’s shanty [a double log house on site occupied by Woodard & Stone’s bakery] became the headquarters of all new arrivals, and was for some time regarded as “the leading hotel at Johnson’s Rapids

 

1873      Confectionary:  Connected with their extensive bakery, Woodard & Stone carry on a large confectionary manufactory in this city.  They make all kinds of candy, and are particularly about the quality and purity of the articles they offer for sale.  This is the reason why their goods enjoy such a wide and general preference throughout the state.  Their candies are all choice and excellent, and they permit no other kind to leave their establishment, which is now known far and wide as a reliable institution.  Adulterations in this business is so common that most people look on all confectionery with doubt, but whatever bears the name of Woodard & Stone may be taken as genuine and just what it pretends to be.   09 04

 

1877

               A number of firemen of the Phoenix Co. were employees of Woodard & Stone   WG, 02 26 1909

 

1888

07 20       John E. Weissert, 1847 – 1888; employees in funeral procession for; bookkeeper for nearly 20 years    WG

 

1908     

03 25          Automobile factory proposed for this site.  

07 31          Death of Mrs. Fred. Ryder.  Mr. Ryder was employed for years as bookkeeper for the Woodard-Stone.  WG

08 14          Otto Biefeld & Co. secured contract for installing the steam heating apparatus for the M. D. Wells Shoe Co., who will occupy the old Woodard Stone factory    WG

 

1911      Woodard & Stone building later occupied by M D Wells Shoe Co and then by Wolfram Shoe Co.

 

1978      The old Woodard & Stone factory stands but a few feet high.  Progress has taken its toll on another historic building. It was said to be a well built structure but the site of 109-115 North Water Street is soon to become the drive-in banking quarters for the Wisconsin National Bank.

 

Bank President Arthur Turke said the decision was a difficult one to make.  Relocation of the bank's drive-in services was necessary to make it safer and more usable to bank customers.  Also, the Woodard & Stone building, purchased by the bank in 1969, was difficult to use, Turke said.

 

The Woodard & Stone building had a number of uses and owners in its history.  Constructed in the late 1800s, the building was first a steam cracker factory. Marshall J. and George S. Woodard launched a bakery on North Water Street in 1865 under the name of the Woodard Brothers Bakery.

 

After two years in business they began the manufacture of crackers, using a hand machine.  They later added steam to increase output.   04 21

 

Cross-References:

No 1:  Marshall Woodard, partner

No 2:  Julietta (Gritzner) Block, early employee

No 3:  William Black (1824-1901), early employee