by Steve Tesmer | Apr 22, 2012 | Historic Places
Date in History: 1909 In the late 19th century, the citizens of Fort Atkinson began arguing over whether they needed a second bridge over the Rock River. Some on the northwest side of town were opposed to the idea, fearing it would destroy the exclusiveness of their...
by Steve Tesmer | Apr 22, 2012 | Historic Places
Date in History: 1944 Ever watch a softball game at Ralph Park in Fort Atkinson and wonder who Ralph was? Benjamin Ralph was born in Vermont and came to Fort in 1853 at the age of eight. Over the next two decades he helped his family run a general store, but in 1875...
by Steve Tesmer | Apr 22, 2012 | Historic Places
Date in History: 1906 In 1906 the Chicago-Northwestern Railroad built a handsome new depot in Fort Atkinson. This stately red brick building with stone trimming was located along the track near the intersection of Janesville Avenue and South Third Street. The depot...
by Steve Tesmer | Apr 22, 2012 | Historic Places
Date in History: 1955 On Father’s Day 1955 the city fathers of Fort Atkinson gave a wonderful gift to their children when they formally dedicated the long awaited new swimming pool in Rock River Park. Discussions about a municipal pool had begun back in the 1930s, but...
by Steve Tesmer | Apr 22, 2012 | Historic Places
Date in History: 1850s The Octagon House in Watertown was built in the 1850s by pioneer settler John Richards. Richards had come to Wisconsin from Massachusetts in 1837 and ran a mill and farm on 140 acres along the Rock River in Watertown. In 1849 he returned to...
