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Watertown Ski Club

 

Richards Hill Ski Slide Site

 

Near this site from circa 1915 through 1923 stood the Richards Hill Ski Slide, a popular winter gathering spot for people from miles around.  The slide was situated so that when a skier climbed to the top and began the descent, the momentum would propel the individual down the hill, across Concord Avenue, and over the frozen Rock River to its easternmost bank.  The slide was closed down in 1923 after the deaths of two boys, Herbert and Leonard Born, who tobogganed down the hill and were struck and killed by a passing motorist.  Following this tragic accident, the city declared it illegal to use Richards Hill for sledding, a law that remains in effect today.

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1916

02 15       SKI CLUB WILL STAGE BIG TOURNAMENT HERE

Ski Finals Sunday.   Another ski tournament will be held on Richards hill, in the eastern portion of the city, next Sunday afternoon.  The poor condition of the slide has caused the Ski club to postpone the finals until next Sunday.      The Watertown News

 

1917

02 14       WINNERS AT THE SKI TOURNEY

Alvin Wegemann won the Business Men’s association loving cup at the ski tournament on Sunday with a total of 202 points in three events.  Albert Solliday took first honors in the toboggan events for distance covering 100 feet after crossing the river.  Wolfram was second and Siegler third.  In the race on skis from Main Street bridge to the slide on Richards Hill.  Walter Otto won in 18 minutes with Joe Brandenburg a close second.  Points in the individual ski events were awarded as follows . . . .       The Watertown News

 

1918

02 06       SKI CLUB WILL STAGE BIG TOURNAMENT HERE

Watertown plans to have a big ski tournament here Sunday.  It will be held on the slide of the Watertown Ski Club located on Richards Hill.  Noted professional and amateur champions of the United States will hold a joint tournament with the Watertown boys. . . .

 

The skiers are practically all Norwegians, representing some noted club here and abroad, who ski for the love of the sport and not for financial gain.

 

Alvin Wegemann, president of the Watertown Ski Club, is to be commended for bringing the men here.

 

The professionals will arrive here in time for the meet, which will probably start at 2 o’clock.  They will also give instructions to local skiers in the art of jumping.

 

Tentative plans have been made by the club here to make the slide longer so that a longer jump can be made.  The professionals will give the boys pointers on the construction and matters of general interest.  Those interested will have an opportunity to witness some real jumping Sunday.

 

The interurban cars stop near the slide and those attending will have an opportunity to leave any time they wish.

 

There will be no admission charged but a collection will be taken up to help defray expenses. . . . Watch for a record making event here and be sure to be present.    The Watertown News, 02 06 1918

 

1918

09 08       MINIATURE SLIDE DISPLAYED

The Watertown Ski club has on display in the window of H. J. Stube’s store in Main street, a replica of the slide on Richards’ hill.  It is painted white and with the cotton and glass crystal gives an artistic effect to the whole.  Couples with toboggans are seen coming down and skiers are shown in the act of jumping.      The Watertown News

 

09 25       WANT ASSOCIATE MEMBERS OF LOCAL SKI CLUB

Ski and toboggan enthusiasts take notice.

 

Those interested in these sports may now become associate members of the Watertown Ski club, receiving full benefit of the slide at only 50 cents. No age limit.

 

When the Watertown Ski club first came into existence through the interest and untiring efforts of W. R. Thomas and when it was taking its initiatory steps, it was slack in finance and slack in the moral support of many skiers.

 

Five boys and Mr. Thomas did most of the work.  They took great interest and worked hard at building up the slide.  When it was completed there were many outstanding accounts.  In order to meet these, more members were taken in.  In this manner and by the payment of monthly dues all financial obligations were cancelled.  The business men also are worthy of recognition for they made possible the money which is now on deposit.

 

This brief history of but few of the struggles and work which had to be met shows that there was some real work accomplished.  Now those same boys and Mr. Thomas are in service and are willing to allow others to profit and be benefited at their expense.  For the above reasons this opportunity should receive good support and be appreciated by followers of the ski and toboggan.

 

Those wishing to become members notify one of the following: W. R. Thomas, A. Wegemann, C. Stallmann, Oscar Wertheimer.    The Watertown News, 09 25 1918

 

1919

01 03       TOBOGGAN SLIDE

Members of the Watertown Ski club are planning to enclose the ski slide on Richards hill to make it safe for tobogganing, and it is presumed this will be a favorite pastime the balance of the winter.     The Watertown News

 

1920

12 30       WATERTOWN SKI CLUB OFFICERS

The Watertown Ski club will hold a meeting this evening at 7:30 o'clock in the offices of the Chamber of Commerce.  The coming annual ski and toboggan tournament which will be held here during the last half of January will be discussed as will a number of other important matters.  The officers of the organization are:  President, W. R. Thomas; vice president, Alvin Wegemann; secretary, Alvin Stallmann; treasurer, Carl Stallmann."

 

1947

Feb          TOBOGGANING AT THE OCTAGON

            NorthWestern students sliding down Richards hill

 

The tobogganing season seems to be nearly over, at least for Barenz's toboggan.  The hill behind the Octagon House was just too much for it, I guess.  The slope of the hill is all right, but when it comes to crossing the road, that's going just a little too far - that is, when they get that far!  Whitey Voss wrecked his foot on that fatal slope, and Danny Malchow did a good job of trying to break his back going down the hill on skis.  It was fun while it lasted.    02 1947, The Black & Red, Northwestern College

 

 

 

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