For Markesan's annual Heritage Days I put together a brochure to guide people around some historic spots in our community. Another historical society member helped get the brochures printed and ready for the event. The brochure has numbered locations, as well as some historical anecdotes for each location. The locations on our historical map correspond with sections of my… Continue reading Historic Markesan
Category: History
An Oshkosh Legend Returns
If you find yourself doing nothing on September 22, 2012, I suggest you get over to the Fox River Brewery/Fratellos in Oshkosh for this book signing & beer tasting event. Not only will you be able to buy a book detailing the history of Oshkosh’s breweries, but you will get to taste a beer that shares the city’s… Continue reading An Oshkosh Legend Returns
History of the Blatz Brewing Company
The Blatz Brewing Co. history can be traced back to 1846 in the young city of Milwaukee. The brewery grew as one of the big 4 of Milwaukee and made significant contributions to the city's beer industry. Unfortunately, pressures of the changing times and competition shut down the brewery and led to consolidation with other big breweries.… Continue reading History of the Blatz Brewing Company
The Day Beer Returned to Milwaukee
Imagine a Unites States where beer and liquor are illegal. Your favorite brewery has been forced to close down or switch to making sodas, chocolates or other products. The only hard liquor you could wet your whistle with was made in a homemade still and you had to go into a secret bar called a speakeasy to… Continue reading The Day Beer Returned to Milwaukee
“This Flag Dips To No Earthly King!”
I am sure a lot of us are glued to our televisions watching our countries at the XXX Olympics. The modern Olympics started in 1896 in Athens, Greece. The original Olympics date back to ancient Greece when the city-states competed against each other. The games were revived in the late 19th century and commenced in the ancient… Continue reading “This Flag Dips To No Earthly King!”
The Peoples Brewing Company: America’s First Black Owned Brewery
In one of my earlier posts I talked about the Oshkosh Brewing Company, but there was another great brewery in my college town that last a few years longer than Oshkosh Brewing Company. The Peoples Brewing Company made history when it became the first brewery in the country to be owned by a Black man, an… Continue reading The Peoples Brewing Company: America’s First Black Owned Brewery
Oshkosh Brewing Company
Oshkosh Brewing CompanyThe Oshkosh Brewing Company was a brewery formally headquartered in my college town of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It was only until recently that I learned of this brewery and began to uncover some of the company's history. Sadly, the old brewery fell victim to the wrecking ball in 1986 destroying the physical evidence of the company's existence. Only one of the… Continue reading Oshkosh Brewing Company
My First Book
Earlier this year my first book was published. I can honestly say that if I had to do it all over again, I would not change a thing. This has been one of the most challenging projects I have attempted to date, and I look forward to doing another book like this again in the… Continue reading My First Book
Great Pineries of Wisconsin
The logging industry in Wisconsin lasted nearly 62 years after it had exhausted nearly all of the White and Norwegian Pines trees of northern half of Wisconsin. The industry left behind a legacy of abundant prosperity and ecological devastation. This once important industry propelled the state of Wisconsin forward as serious economic lumber hub in the Midwest. In the… Continue reading Great Pineries of Wisconsin
History of the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company
The history of the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company begins before it was called Schlitz. In 1849, George August Krug started and managed a small brewery and saloon in Milwaukee. In 1850 Joseph Schlitz immigrated to the United States and made his home in Milwaukee. Krug hired Schlitz as the bookkeeper for his prospering little brewery,… Continue reading History of the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company
The Weekend Historian 