Fountain Park Time Capsule

On Friday, August 13th, 1953, a time capsule was buried at Fountain Park to celebrate 100 years since Sheboygan's incorporation. The capsule is intended to be opened 100 years after its creation, in 2053. The time capsule is filled with a variety of items representing Sheboygan's history, including a poem, top hats, and the centennial edition of the newspaper. In addition to the time capsule, Fountain Park is the home of a Civil War memorial and a memorial honoring the soldiers of the Spanish American war.

A time capsule was buried at Fountain Park on Friday August 13, 1953, following a week’s worth of festivities which celebrated Sheboygan’s incorporation one hundred years prior. The capsule is to be opened one hundred years later, in 2053.

Historical records, the names of early Sheboygan settlers, a centennial celebration program, photographs from 1953, and a copy of the centennial edition of the Sheboygan Press were placed inside the time capsule. Also placed in the capsule were top hats worn by the “Brothers of the Brush,” a men’s group that forwent shaving to join in a beard-growing competition. They sold “shaver’s permits,” as a fundraiser, to men who did not want to take part in the competition. The Brothers' female counterparts, the Sisters of Swish, went without makeup. They sold “cosmetic permits” to women who chose to wear makeup throughout the celebration.

The centennial celebration saw a whole week’s worth of community activities, organized by the Centennial Committee. The week began with “Freedom of Religion” Sunday, where the community gathered in Vollrath Bowl to hear from a variety of faith leaders. Monday was Governor’s Day, with a grand march led by Governor Kohler. Mr. Kohler also presided over the ribbon-cutting and dedication of Kohler Memorial Drive that day.

Tuesday was “All Nation’s Day” with a celebration of folk music and dancing in Vollrath Bowl. On Wednesday, Sheboygan citizens were invited to participate in games sponsored by the Recreation and Park Departments. That night, and nearly every night that week, ended with a band concert and street dancing.

Thursday, August 13th, was Bratwurst Day! Downtown brat stands started serving bratwurst for breakfast at 8 a.m. and continued throughout lunch and dinner. The “bratwurst queen” was crowned at 2 p.m. and, later that night, Fountain Park was transformed into a German-style beer garden, to celebrate Sheboygan’s German heritage.

Centennial Friday was “Pioneer Day;” the time capsule ceremony was followed by a recognition of the “pioneers” of Sheboygan. Awards were given to those Pioneers who held the longest continuous residence in Sheboygan and to those who had traveled the furthest for the ceremony. The festivities came to an end on Saturday--Laborer’s Day. The beard judging contest, a parade, and firework display were the finale for a week-long celebration of Sheboygan’s past 100 years.

The full poem, written by Caleb Hauser, was published in the centennial edition of the Sheboygan Press in 1953. A copy of this ode to Sheboygan will be found in the time capsule when it is opened in 2053!

“Sheboygan, city of wide-spreading elms, Embodiment of poet’s fondest dreams, On thee thy star of destiny still beams: Be thine the strength that strives and overwhelms! City of churches, children, chairs and cheese. Write with attainments prouder still than these The record of thy next one hundred years! And may thy tons of tasty cheddar cheese In coming years again bring health and strength To millions, great and small, throughout the length And breadth of God’s free world at peace and ease!”

Fountain Park was first established in 1836, initially planned as a town square, it also served as an early cemetery for pioneers. In 1875, an artesian well was accessed to provide water for the fountain. The water pumped was high in mineral content and thought to have healing properties. The Sheboygan Mineral Water Company even bottled the water to be sold around the world. After realizing the mineral water was corroding city pipes, the park’s water was drawn from Lake Michigan.

The park is home to both a Civil War memorial and a monument honoring soldiers of the Spanish American War. Today, Fountain Park hosts the SCIO Farmer’s Market, concerts, and other community events.

Klein, Gary C. Sheboygan Brat Days history: 7,000 pounds of brats, a Bratwurst Queen and drunken, rowdy crowds, August 4th, 2022. Accessed December 15th, 2023. https://www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/2022/08/04/sheboygan-brat-days-started-1953-charles-coburn-bratwurst-queen/10202730002/.

Sheboygan centennial celebration, 1853-1953 : official souvenir program and historic booklet, August 9th thru 15th, 1953, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Accessed December 15th, 2023. https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ADSNI7Z46ISBKL8I.

History, Brat Days. Accessed December 15th, 2023. https://www.brat-days.com/brat-days-info#:~:text=A%20time%20capsule%20was%20also,2053%2C%20100%20years%20from%201953..