The Weekend Historian
Wow, how time flies! It has been 10 years since the publication of my book, Images of America: Markesan, which tells the history of my hometown through photos. For those who have never heard of Markesan, it is a city of about 1,300 people (give or take) located in Green Lake County, Wisconsin. The community's… Continue reading 10-Year Anniversary of My Book
I knew that little Marquette, Wisconsin, had a historical society, but I did not know they had a website. I was pleasantly surprised at the information they had. I was even more excited to see some history of Dantz's Tavern and Dantz's Tavern School! The original schoolhouse was moved onto on our property by its… Continue reading Marquette Historical Society – Dantz Tavern School
There are times I find myself driving through areas of the city or in the country and wondering what these areas used to look like. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard how there was a structure that stood in an area that is now a parking lot, or how a road… Continue reading History in Your Neighborhood
Being involved with your local historical society is a great way to be involved with your community. Whether you are from a small community or big city, most of these places have a historical society or two. In Wisconsin the majority of historical organizations are affiliated with the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS). If you are… Continue reading Markesan Historical Society
I was going through some photos on my computer, and I couldn't resist making a post about this after I found the pictures from last year. Last Summer my soon-to-be in-laws made a trip to our family farm. According to the dates on the picture, it was the last weekend in July 2011. I remember that being a really… Continue reading City Man on the Farm
I ran into a rather interesting article in the Milwaukee Journal from October 13, 1919. It relates to my hometown of Markesan and a wash machine that was built there. This Milwaukee paper was advertising a washing machine, but it wasn't just ANY washing machine, it was a "THE MARKESAN" electric wash machine. What most… Continue reading Markesan Washing Machine in Milwaukee
I've been doing a lot of reading on how to kickstart some change in Markesan. I ran into a very interesting article done by the Kansas Sampler Foundation and what they called the eight rural culture elements. What seems to be a problem, which the same problem about 10 years ago when a movement like this was… Continue reading Eight Rural Culture Elements
It has been an issue that has been sitting in my crop awhile and it is time to take action. I know there will be ruffled feathers and unhappy people, but I'm going to grab the tiger by the tail and not let go. This community means too much to me to watch it wither away… Continue reading Facing the Problems in Markesan
Markesan, Wisconsin, is my hometown and things are not what they used to be. Many people may not believe it, see it or want to admit it, but Markesan is heading down a road of destruction. I want to get a movement going to challenge the community to step up and make change. This isn't something… Continue reading Revitalize Our Hometown
On September 16, 2012, I had an extraordinary time at the Markesan Historical Society's annual Heritage Days. I was invited there to showcase and promote the book I recently published, Images of America Markesan. I was also distributing a historic tour map of our town. Another historical society member and I constructed a walking tour… Continue reading When the Railroad Arrived in Markesan
Austin M. Frederick 