Week 16 is all about family "negatives". I interviewed my folks and older siblings about their memories and emotions of the terrible barn fire they had in 1987.
Tag: Markesan
10-Year Anniversary of My Book
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
Ghost Signs
The History Museum at the Castle posted great article on Facebook about a ghost sign found in an Appleton building being remodeled. While removing plaster from an interior wall, the building owner discovered an old advertisement painted on the building next door. This ad was painted on the exterior wall of building sometime in the late 19th… Continue reading Ghost Signs
Marquette Historical Society – Dantz Tavern School
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
Markesan Railroad Yard/Time Table
I am working on a big project right now (more on that later) that has me digging into some railroad history in Oshkosh. While working on that, it has me wondering more about Markesan's railroad yard. It can be harder to find information on small lines that ended in small towns. Once in a while… Continue reading Markesan Railroad Yard/Time Table
Wilde Implement- Markesan, Wis
Thousands of Allis-Chalmers dealerships, stocked with orange tractors and machinery, dotted farming communities across the U.S. at one time. Markesan, my hometown, was also home to one of these dealerships. Although they sold other farm equipment brands, Allis-Chalmers was their flagship line of equipment. Some others included, Leyland, Same, Lindsay, New Idea, and New Holland. The original… Continue reading Wilde Implement- Markesan, Wis
Hemp Tax
Here is an example of the $1 certificate that showed proof that a hemp grower had permission to do so.
The Hemp Empire
Who could have imagined that Wisconsin was once the leader of the U.S. hemp industry? What started off as an experimental cultivation in 1908 quickly turned into a thriving industry for Wisconsin. First off, I need to clarify a misconception about hemp. Hemp is not Marijuana, and it is not a psychoactive drug. Hemp is… Continue reading The Hemp Empire
History in Your Neighborhood
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
Hometown AC Ads
Scanning through old newspapers can be a great source of local AC history. I found these local dealership ads in our area newspapers. Check your local library for newspaper microfilms. You can also access some newspapers on Google Newspaper Archive or Newspaper Archive. Addition sources may be available through local historical societies, universities, and libraries.
Austin M. Frederick 