Sheboygan Press April 29, 1927 CITY HOTEL 34 YEARS OLD On the opposite side of the street, north of the present city hall, was an old hostelry conducted by a man named ARNOLDI who at one time was proprietor of the Washington House in Sheboygan. Louis BALLSCHMIDER bought this property and about thirty-four years ago had the present City Hotel erected on the premises. Directly south of the SERVIS carriage and wagon shop was H. BENEDICT's blacksmith shop. This building was then owned by Mrs. John HAUENSTEIN, and was torn down when the old frame school house was moved on the lot. South of this blacksmith shop was H. SCHUMAN's wagon shop, which was established in 1869. Mr. SCHUMAN worked principally on orders. After the death of Mr. SERVIS, BENEDICT and SCHUMAN entered into a partnership and carried on the business on a larger scale in the two-story brick building now occupied by the DEAN undertaking parlors. William KUTZBACK originally occupied a frame building that formerly stood on the site of the present BRICKNER Woolen Mills office, where he conducted a custom tailoring shop for a few years before moving to his present quarters on the east side of Broadway near the post office. John NEVER, father of Henry, also occupied the same building before he had a brick block constructed at the southwest corner of Broadway and Pine streets. Near the former frame building was another in which Henry BOGK conducted a meat market for a few years. After A. P. LYMAN vacated the building now occupied by FESSLER's store the first tenant of which there is an authentic record was E. F. BOND, who later entered into partnership with J. J. ZUFELT in the hub and spoke factory on Buffalo street between Pine and Bridge streets. E. B. GARTON STARTS CAREER It was in the ZUFELT factory that E. B. GARTON, prominent toy manufacturer, of Sheboygan, first found employment after he arrived here from Canada in the fall of 1864. The ZUFELT factory has since been divided and remodeled to accommodate the purposes of various kinds of business enterprises. Henry GROH's hardware store is located in a section of the old hub and spoke factory. The store is located on the north side of Pine street east of Buffalo street. West of the City Hall, on Buffalo street, is a two-story frame building used for residence purposes. This building originally stood on the fair grounds when the county fairs were held at the Falls. For years it was utilized as the exhibit hall at the county fairs. When the city purchased the building it was moved to the present site where it was later re-modeled and converted into living apartments. In referring to the old building which formerly stood on the site where John NEVER erected the brick store in 1882, several interesting historical incidents were inadvertently omitted. For a few years the old building was occupied by David GIDDINGS and his family, sometime after Mr. GIDDINGS was married to Deacon TROWBRIDGE's daughter in 1842. In 1864, it was occupied by HORNIMAN and CO., as a general store. The silent partner of the firm was Lewis PIERCE who later purchased an interest with Horace TROWBRIDGE in the foundry. A detailed history of Lewis PIERCE appears in a review of the history of the town of Lima, where he owned and operated a flouring mill for a number of years. PINE STREET BUSINESSES >From Broadway, extending west on Pine street, the early business establishments were as follows: On the south side of the street was the Wisconsin Hotel, now occupied as a furniture store by A. E. RAUSCHERT. This hotel at different times was conducted by OSTROM; N. D. BROWN; and later by Louis Walter. West of the hotel was Mrs. H. (?). MARTIN's millinery shop. This building was torn down and the building now occupied by O. H. HERTZBERG was erected upon the grounds. William SULLY occupied the building in which L. L. LINDNER now has his shoe store. A man named WEDEPHOL had a boot and shoe store on the site now occupied by SCHLICHTING's grocery store at the northwest corner of Pine and Buffalo streets. The FRANKLIN House, now owned and conducted by L. P. CAHILL, is an old landmark in that section of the city. Near this hotel was a bakery owned and operated by a man named ADERHOLD. A Mr. CHAMBERLIAN, father of A. (?). CHAMBERLAIN, who is one of the only three who survived the terrible calamity when the steamer Sea Bird was burned on Thursday, April 9, 1868, on Lake Michigan off Waukegan, Ill., many years ago erected the building on the south side of Pine street now occupied by the Falls Mercantile company. The was a hall on the second floor of this building which for many years was used as a meeting place by the Episcopal congregation and other societies. The building directly east of the Falls Mercantile company store was originally built and owned by T. (?). BRUSH, and since his death has changed ownership several times. EPISCOPAL CHURCH ESTABLISHED The first Episcopal service of which there is a record was held in "Free Hall," located on the east side of the river, on the first Sunday after Easter, in the spring of 18?4. Later the place of holding services was changed to the old school house, and then to CHAMBERLAIN's hall. The cornerstone for the church edifice was laid by Bishop KEMPER on June 8, 1869, and the first service held in it on January 16, 1870. The Rev. H. STAN(?) is the present vicar. Mose GUYETT came to Sheboygan Falls in 1861, and for a number of years thereafter conducted the Sheboygan Falls Hotel, located on the east side of the river opposite the railway station; but in 1868 he bought of FROHNE the Falls Inn, located on the west side of Broadway directly north of the railroad tracks. This building was razed about three years ago and an oil filling station occupies the grounds. During the early 50's, A. B. HOUGH and W. W. HARRIS operated a sash, door and blind factory; but in May, 1855, they dissolved the partnership. LEWIS and HARRIS then carried on the business in a new factory which was built near the railway station. In 1854, D. J. GEORGE began manufacturing wooden pumps and clothes reels, which he continued for several years. One of the outstanding dwelling houses on the west side of the river is the cream-colored brick which was erected for William PRENTICE during the early days of the village history. Otto B. WEISSE now lives in the house which stands at the southwest corner of Pine and Detroit streets. FOUNDRY NOW WOODSHED Among the later factories established at the Falls was a foundry built for Demand and Robert HUYCK in 1881. The firm did all kinds of iron work. The original building, which stands west of the present railway station, is now used as a woodshed. While sinking a well on Harley GIDDING's farm in the spring of 1881, water was reached at a depth of 1,200 feet which showed marked medicinal qualities. The discharge filled a four inch pipe. This well was located on the present Pinehurst farm and later was plugged to prevent the overflow on adjacent land. Mr. BRYANT states that during the peak of milling activities at the Falls, logs covered the Sheboygan river from bank to bank all the way from Sheboygan Falls to the junction of the Mullet river, a distance of several miles. A Hook and Ladder company was organized in 1867 with Charles OSTHELDER foreman. A hand engine was bought and an engine company organized in 1869 with Charles MILLER as foreman. This engine house was located at Broadway opposite the present Evangelical Lutheran church building. A volunteer company of fifty men was organized in 1816. At that time there were only thirty-six hydrants in the city. When the city dug the present two wells and piped the entire city, the hand-pump was sold, and in 1923 a combines hose and chemical motor-driven truck was purchased and the number of hydrants was increased to fifty-eight. J. P. SCHNEIDER was appointed fire chief, which position he still holds in the department. TRIBUTE TO PIONEERS Reviewing the history of Sheboygan Falls the present generation must be deeply impressed by the intrepidity and the hardiness of its pioneers who penetrated the wilderness of luxuriant pines and carved the site for the beautiful city that lies in the peaceful valley through which, serpent-like, the Sheboygan river wends its way toward Lake Michigan. Standing upon the prominence known as THOMAS Hill and looking southward over the undulating farm lands which reach as far as the eye may see, the spectator gazed in admiration at the picturesqueness of the panorama which is presented. It is not difficult to visualize the beauty with which nature clothed this particular spot. In fancy, the mind pictures the majestic pines which towered high and, with spreading branches that intertwined, formed nature's own canopy over the wide expanse of territory. Indeed, it is an inspiring site, on a perfect day, to stand on an advantageous point at the top of the hill and, in contemplation, follow the winding course of the river from the point where it enters the city from the west to where it disappears from sight, a long distance east of the city limits; and then to meditate and try to visualize the same region as it actually appeared when Col. STEDMAN and a few other sturdy pioneers arrived and began cutting down the trees and converting the logs into lumber with which the first dwelling houses were built in that Section. Ninety years is not long in the history of time, yet there is not one single person living today who can distinctly remember the circumstances connected with the first few years of pioneer settlement in Sheboygan Falls. All that is known today has been handed down by someone who long since has passed away A CITY OF INDUSTRY Doubtless, the earliest settlers at the Falls did not realize that some day a thriving little city would eventually be built upon and around the place where they erected saw-mills; but they could not have selected a more inviting site for such a purpose. That Sheboygan Falls did not become the metropolis of the county is due to the fact that transportation was the important factor in the development of an industrial community. Before railroads were extended through the county, water was the only means of transportation and consequently it was a natural result that the leading city was built along the shore of Lake Michigan. The comparatively short distance between the two places prevented the village of Sheboygan Falls from keeping pace with that of Sheboygan. The lack of natural transportation facilities, therefore, retarded the growth of the village of Sheboygan Falls. The advent of the Sheboygan and Mississippi railroad caused a temporary increased business activity in the village; but for many years thereafter the population remained approximately the same. The few small chair factories in and near the village gradually were removed to the city of Sheboygan, and after the timber had been cut off the lumber industry entirely ceased in that locality. The mills which for many years previous had been the scene of great activity, were converted to other purposes after the hum of the saws were stilled forever. While the lumber industry is now but history, Sheboygan Falls still may boast of having many manufacturing plants, more then the average city of the same class contains. Prominent among these is the BRICKNER Woolen Mills, which, in point of continuous years of operation, has an enviable record. The White Wagon Works and the JENKINS Machine company, the latter occupying the building formerly owned by the Falls Motor corporation, are both manufacturing industries of unusual size and importance. EDUCATION AND RELIGION The city has excellent educational facilities and houses for religious worship. A review of these will be found in this historical number of the Press, under proper classification. In addition to the grade and high schools, the Sheboygan County Rural Normal school is located at Sheboygan Falls. The building was started in 1923 and dedicated with impressive ceremonies on Wednesday of the first week in December, 1924, with Oscar HUHN of Sheboygan president of the board. This school was the first in the state of Wisconsin to be put on a post-graduate basis. All persons of good character who have completed four years of high school work, or its equivalent, are admitted to the one-year course, which is the only course offered by the institution. No tuition is charged students from Sheboygan county. Tuition of students from other counties is paid by the county from which the students come. The city of Sheboygan Falls was incorporated by act of legislation on October 27, 1913, and at the first election H. E. BOLDT was elected mayor and Ober CHAPLIN as city clerk. The present official family includes the following: Mayor - William O. DASSOW Clerk - Erhart A. DEMAND Common Council - Chas. D. DeLONG, president; Richard FRIEDRICHS, August SCHUEFFNER and E. A. KRAUSE. Assessor - Owen MINCH Treasurer - P. G. LaCHANCE Supervisors - First Ward, R. H. THOMAS; Second Ward, O. A. DAMROW. City Attorney - F. H. SCHLICHTING Justices of the Peace - Lester C. WEISSE and Chas. F. HEALD Chief of Police - E. A. GEORGE Chief of Fire Department - L. P. SCHNEIDER Health Commissioner - Dr. W. M. SONNENBURG Park Board - Geo. A. ROBBINS, president; Herbert C. ROSKA, secretary; John BAUERNFEIND, W. C. BRICKNER, Chas. F. HEALD, and J. K. WIDDER Board of Public Utility Commissioners - J. H. THOMAS, president; Guy E. MELENDY, secretary; Wm. O. DASSOW, A. P. SCHNEIDEWIND and C. D. DeLONG Supt. of the Water and Light Plants - John VAN OUWERKERK Sexton - Peter VAN DER WEELE The city owns and operates the water system and also the electric lighting system, the electricity used to operate both systems being supplied mainly by the Wisconsin Power and Light company. ARTESIAN WELL WATER The water supply is derived from two artesian wells which are located near the city hall. The water comes from a great depth and is pure and wholesome for drinking purposes. The first well was drilled in the fall of 1916 to a depth of 421 feet from the surface, the entire distance was drilled through rock. A ten-inch pipe extends for the first 141 feet and an eight-inch pipe extends the remaining 280 feet to bottom of the well. The water from the well is pumped with air pressure into a reservoir at ground level. This reservoir has a capacity of 126,000 gallons and is situated near the city hall. From this reservoir, the water is pumped into a stand-pipe tower located at the top of THOMAS Hill on the east side of the river, at an elevation of eighty feet. This water tower has a capacity of 80,000 gallons and stands 144 feet above the station pumping level. The second well was drilled in 1922. It is located on Adams street in what is known as COLE's Flats. Its entire depth of 115 feet was drilled through solid rock. A 12-inch pipe extend all the way down and water flows constantly at the rate of 110 gallons a minute, into a concrete reservoir having a capacity of 127,000 gallons. The water is pumped from the reservoir to the water tower by means of an automatic electric devise. There is a static pressure of 62.4 pounds in the downtown section of the city. The electric lighting system was installed in September, 1916, and this and the water system in common produce fair returns to the city, the rates for both water and light comparing favorably with that charged by other cities of the same class. In addition to these utilities, the city is served by the Wisconsin Public Service company, of Sheboygan, which, three years ago, extended its supply pipes to that city. The majority of homes in Sheboygan Falls use this gas service. PROMOTE SANITATION The city is divided into two wards and has two sewer districts, one on the east and the other on the west side of the river. The sewer system was established in 1916, and covers the entire corporate limits of the city. The system embraces four miles of sewer pipe ranging from eight to twenty inches in diameter. The city has acquired two acres of land, which is conveniently and practically located, and plans are being made for a septic tank and sewage disposal plant on this site. The city is provided abundantly with excellent streets, at present there being approximately seven miles of concrete pavement within the city limits. The recreational facilities consist of River Park, which has an area of about six city blocks and is located near the Sheboygan county Normal school. The St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran congregation has a park containing about three and one-half acres, located about one-half mile west of the city limits. A growth of beautiful virgin pine stands on these grounds. On the east side of the river is an excellent tourist camp site, and nearby is located the government rifle range. This is provided with a 600-yard range and is used by the State Guards in target practice. RAILROAD IN 1869 The Sheboygan and Fond du Lac railway was opened from Sheboygan to Fond du Lac, through Sheboygan Falls, in 1869, and the electric road from Sheboygan to Sheboygan Falls was placed in operation in 1899. Charles WHITCOMB was the first station agent when the Sheboygan and Fond du Lac Railway company began operating its trains through Sheboygan Falls. Residents of Sheboygan Falls are endeavoring to establish proof that, at one time, ASTOR had a trading post below the bridge on the east side of the river where the present Tourist camp site is located. This trading post, however, was doubtless established by FARNSWORTH, who did considerable trading with the Indians from about 1818 until the business no longer proved profitable in this region. In this review of the history of Sheboygan Falls no attempt has been made to include all the incidents which happened in that place. A complete history of the village and later the city would fill a large volume. However, very little of the early history has been omitted. Whatever remains outside this review is well known to the present generation and may be obtained with little effort. Doubtless, some names of early business men have been omitted. If so, the omission was not intentional but due to lack of available information.