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A large Native American village was located on this spot along the river. A popular stop on trade routes, French-Canadian fur trader Jacques Vieau established a formal trading post in 1795. The site later became one of the first Yankee settlements in the county featuring a sawmill and boarding house.The county park is named after Sheboygan’s German sister city Esslingen, a partnership that began in 1967. Esslingen am Neckar is a city in the southern German state Baden-Württemberg. This partnership has had a significant impact on the youth of Sheboygan. In the summer, a special “People to People” three-week exchange program takes place for middle school students in Sheboygan and Esslingen. A year-long high school exchange program has also been prominent for a number of years. High school students live with a host family in either Esslingen or Sheboygan for five months, attend school, and learn about local culture.The city of Sheboygan also hosts “Esslingen Fest,” a festival that is celebrated in the spirit of “Zwiebelfest”. Zwiebelfest, or Onion Fest, is celebrated in Esslingen, a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. In previous years, special guest representatives from Esslingen, Germany have traveled to attend the festival, bringing their authentic cooking with them to provide specialty German cuisine. In honor of Esslingen Fest’s roots, local brewery, 3 Sheeps Brewing Co., has even featured a vidalia onion beer at the festival!Esslingen Park is a popular spot for canoeing and fishing.

Esslingen Park is a popular location for canoeing and fishing, and sits on the site of a former Native American village. Its name references the relationship between Sheboygan, WI and Esslingen am Neckar, Germany. These sister cities first established their relationship in 1967. Sheboygan celebrates its relationship with Esslingen every year at Esslingen Fest.

Esslingen Park

Take a journey throughout Sheboygan County! Explore the area, discover historic locations, and learn a little something about the rich history of our county.

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.

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.

Fountain Park Time Capsule

David Taylor was born in Carlisle, New York on March 11, 1818. After graduating from Schenectady, New York’s Union College in 1841, Taylor began a three-year apprenticeship with Thomas Smith, Judge of the Surrogate Court of Schoharie County. In 1844, Taylor established his own law practice in Cobleskill before migrating to Sheboygan in 1846. On October 30, 1848, Taylor married Mary Salome Callender. The couple settled in Sheboygan where they welcomed eleven of their twelve children.In 1877, the Wisconsin Constitution was amended to provide for five justices on the state’s Supreme Court. As a means of filling the two new positions, both the Democrats and Republicans held a caucus in 1878. Each party selected one individual and David Taylor was the Republican choice. To preserve an alternating election cycle, Taylor’s first term was shortened to eight years and in 1886, Taylor earned a second ten-year term on the Court. He continued as a member of the Wisconsin Supreme Court until his death on April 3, 1891.David Taylor also invested in significant tracts of land throughout Sheboygan County. Over the years, he owned over two-thousand acres, including properties along the harbor, in Sheboygan’s Ellis Addition and large sections of farmland outside of the city. This included a section of land a little more than 250 acres on the outskirts of Sheboygan, purchased from William Ashby. Between 1852 and 1854, Henry Roth built the Italianate-style cream city brick home for David Taylor and his family. Much of the immediate surrounding property was used as farmland and a smaller frame house was eventually built to the northeast of the Taylor House. David Taylor remained in the home until moving to Fond du Lac in the early 1870s. Though the family moved from the home, the property remained in the Taylor family until 1905 when it was purchased by Sheboygan County.After being purchased by Sheboygan County, both the Taylor House and the property remained integral parts of the community. For a number of years, the farmland was used to support the Sheboygan County Chronic Insane Asylum, while the house provided shelter for the farm foremen. Beginning in 1916, the Taylor House proper was remodeled to also include jail facilities for those convicted of vagrancy, disorderly conduct, and drunkenness.In 1931, following a unanimous vote by the Sheboygan County Historical Society at their first Annual Picnic, Charles Broughton, President of the organization, encouraged the Sheboygan County Board of Supervisors to set aside approximately 13 acres of Taylor’s original farm for park purposes. The focus of the park was to be the wooded area directly to the north of the Taylor House. The request was supported by a unanimous vote of Sheboygan County supervisors late in 1931.The Judge David Taylor Park was formally dedicated on July 18, 1932 at the annual meeting of the Historical Society. The bronze plaque and boulder, marking the entrance to the park, were given to Sheboygan County by the Historical Society in 1938.The Sheboygan County Historical Society was formally incorporated in 1923. Even prior, historical materials were being amassed in the County, primarily displayed at Sheboygan’s public library. It was soon obvious that the space allotted would be insufficient and the organization began to look for a permanent home. The Historical Society was able to secure space in the newly built Sheboygan County Courthouse, and while awaiting the building's completion, temporarily located in Sheboygan’s Union School. The Courthouse museum continued until World War 2. The increasing government responsibility to administer war related activities like the draft and rationing meant all Courthouse space was needed for the war effort. The artifacts and displays were packed away for storage in late 1942. Even after the end of the war, the space formerly allotted to displays by the Sheboygan County Historical Society remained unavailable.In 1948, a new solution was proposed -- the Taylor Home, located just adjacent to Taylor Park, be leased to the Historical Society by Sheboygan County for museum purposes. Over the coming years, the building was remodeled to accommodate both display space and housing for a caretaker and opened to the public in July 1954.Today, Taylor Park remains a Sheboygan County park. The park itself still features some of those original hardwood trees, providing shade for a children’s play area, picnic pavilion and a portion of the Urban Recreation Trail. More on the park facilities can be found in the department section of the Sheboygan County website. On the north side of the property is the Sheboygan County Veterans Memorial. The Memorial honors Sheboygan County’s men and women who have given their lives in the line of duty.The southernmost portion of the property is designated for historic use and houses the now expanded museum campus of the Sheboygan County Historical Society. Visitors to the Museum can visit one of four historic buildings on the grounds, including the original David Taylor House, along with extensive exhibits in the Museum’s Main Building. Details of hours and programming can be found on the Museum’s website.

This beautiful park was named after prominent Sheboygan resident David Taylor. Taylor was born in 1818 and migrated to Sheboygan from New York in 1846. Once in Wisconsin, Taylor was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, a role he would fill until his death in 1891. While David Taylor himself moved to Fond du Lac in the early 1870's, he remained an important name in Sheboygan County, with Taylor Park providing one example of his influence.

Taylor Park

Completed in 1918, just 18 months after its groundbreaking, The American Club was the brainchild of Walter J. Kohler Sr. When completed, it was to serve as the home to single immigrant men working for Kohler Company. Here the men had an opportunity to learn English and become American citizens while paying $27.50/month for a single room, meals, and “plain washing.”The facility had room for around 150 boarders and provided them with entertainment such as a billiards room, bowling alley, multiple cards rooms, library, and reading room. Demand for rooms was so great that by 1924 a North wing addition had been added. This addition increased the size of the building to 251 rooms and capacity to 251 boarders.From the time it was built, The American Club was a popular spot for both the lodgers as well as locals to enjoy a good meal and the recreation facilities. Perhaps one of its highlights was hosting a band concert in 1919 led by John Phillip Sousa. By the early 1940s, however, the building was becoming a little outdated. It was decided that some major renovations and updates were needed, which were completed in 1942.By the late 1970s, the original purpose of the building was waning. In 1979, Kohler Company decided to embark on an ambitious $2.3 million project to turn the landmarked property into a luxury hotel, while preserving the building's vast history. The project added a new West Wing, courtyard, and parking facility. The old bowling alley was turned into The Horse &amp; Plow, the boarding rooms turned into rooms and suites, and the old cafeteria turned into a new high-class restaurant.Today, even though the immigrant laborers are long gone, The American Club continues the tradition of offering great food, lodging, and entertainment. Along with the many restaurants, there are world class golf courses, an award-winning spa, and so much more! Even if you are not staying at The American Club, they are open to the public so stop in and check out this historic and iconic landmark. While you’re here, enjoy an ice cream pit stop at the Greenhouse Cafe, located inside the antique solarium from Chorley, Lancashire, England. You can find this beautiful spot in the Fountain Courtyard.

The American Club was built in 1918 by the Kohler Company. It was originally designed to house immigrant workers employed at Kohler. By the late 1970's its usefulness was waning and the Kohler Company decided to convert the building into a luxury hotel. This project cost about $2.3 million dollars and transformed the property into the beautiful hotel it now is.

The American Club

The Mill House, current home of the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center (SCHRC), holds the title of the oldest building in the county. After Silas Stedman had his mill the Rochester Lumber Company up and running, there was a demand for housing for the workers. In 1837, the Rochester Lumber Company built this two-story Greek-revival building to fulfill the need.As more settlers moved to the new village, they too needed temporary housing while construction of new homes was underway. As the workers found their own permanent homes, the building became a boarding house and later a hotel operated by William West. It was at that time that West renamed the building “Temperance Hall”.In 1860, Charles Cole purchased the building for two of his sons, William and James, to turn into homes for each of them. Cole removed the center entrance, added eight feet to the south end and divided the structure into two equal residences by adding a center wall. Slightly later, summer kitchens were added as well. The house became known locally as the “mirror” or “double house” for this reason.For nearly a century the house remained a two-family dwelling. In the late 1960s, it was further divided and turned into a four-family apartment complex. The building’s original shutter features were removed and faux-brick siding covered the original wooden lap. Over the next twenty years the building slowly deteriorated until it was purchased in 1985 by Sheboygan Falls Mutual Insurance Co., which planned to demolish the old “eye sore” to make room for a new parking lot.Thanks to the hard work of a group of local preservation-minded individuals and through a complex arrangement, the building was deeded to Sheboygan County Landmarks Ltd. and demolition was avoided. It was at that time that a $500,000 fundraising campaign began and restoration of the historic building could get underway. After restoration work was completed in 1987, the lovingly restored building was gifted to the SCHRC as its new home.The SCHRC welcomes members of the public into the historic building to view its vast collection of historical documents. If you are interested in seeing the historic Mill House, the collection of material it houses, or see their upcoming events calendar, visit their website for more information on operational hours and events dates and times.

This 1837 building is the current home for the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center, and holds the title of oldest building in the county. Originally built to house workers of the lumber company, the building has also been a boarding house and private residence. Thanks to the tireless work of local individuals, the building has been preserved and continues to stand as a representative of Sheboygan County history.

The Mill House

William Servis’s carriage factory operated from 1854-1902 on the property that is now home to Falls Firehouse Pizza. After a short vacancy, M. McKinnon used the building to manufacture cheese curd agitators and other cheese factory equipment. The building would also house the fire department, public utility department, city hall, and police department from 1908-1958.The original Servis building would be used for a variety of purposes following its municipal use, hosting Holtz Home Repairs, Claebout’s Furniture, Robert’s Diving Center and Family Fashions, and a temporary YMCA.In 1987, Lee Schueffner and Dave Specht bought the property and opened Falls Firehouse Pizza. In 2000, the current owner, Dorothy Schueffner, expanded the business to include the Menzer building nextdoor, which was actually located originally in the 600 block on the opposite side of the street. Serving as the Second School Building from 1856 - 1870, the building was moved by horse to its current location in 1917. During the move the building was never turned around, so the front facade was actually at the rear of the building. Built in the Greek Revival style, similar to the Mill House (Sheboygan County Historical Research Center), expansion plans made it a priority to restore the original Greek Revival facade to the street front.Falls Firehouse Pizza is now a popular spot in Sheboygan Falls for pizza, sandwiches, and drinks. Stop by for a slice! Check out their website to see their hours of operation, specials, and dining options.

The site of the Falls Firehouse Pizza restaurant has been home to a number of various business ventures. Originally a carriage factory, the building has housed the fire department, Holtz Home Repairs, and a temporary YMCA among others. Falls Firehouse Pizza opened in 1987 and has continued to use the building to the current day. Enjoy a delicious meal while appreciating the history of this building.

Firehouse Pizza

This average farmer has become famous across the country, and not for his amazing agricultural skills…but for his headstone. This stone is 4.5 feet long and 3 feet wide, and Mr. Kuhn claims that it fell from outer space.John Kuhn thought ahead about how he wanted to be buried. He claimed that this meteorite fell on his farm which was located along Highway 23 between Falls and Plymouth sometime in the late 1870s or early 1880s. Kuhn hauled the stone to the Sheboygan Falls Cemetery with a team of horses and placed it here on the family lot. After Kuhn’s death in 1884, the stone was attached to this pedestal with an inscription on one side that says “In memory of John F. Kuhn, who died in 1884” and “The surmounted specimen was selected by Mr. Kuhn and is placed here in compliance with his request” on the other.It has not been officially proven that it is or is not a meteor from outer space. A distinct characteristic of a meteorite though is its weight. They weigh significantly more than regular stones because of the iron they contain. We don’t have a way to weigh it without disturbing the burial sight – but the fact that it took him a full team of horses to pull this to the cemetery is a good indication that it is heavy!Until 1969, there were only about 2,000 meteorites in the world’s collections. Meteors typically burn up in the earth’s atmosphere and never make it to the ground. If this truly is a real meteorite, it is a rare and unique find! This unique headstone marker is a bluish, dark gray smooth stone with molten rust and black specks, and crystal-like lumps of varying shades of gray throughout it. The fact that it is smooth is surprising since from the look of it, you would expect it to be bumpy. Go ahead, touch it! We know you want to.Since 1884, visitors have come from all over the country to see the meteor. It is also listed as a meteorite sight to visit online for space enthusiasts.John F. Kuhn was born in Germany in 1829. He immigrated to America and arrived in New York in August 1867 at the age of 38. He quickly made his way to Wisconsin and applied for Naturalization in the Oshkosh area on November 5, 1867. He later received his citizenship on September 14, 1882. By the 1870 census he was living in Sheboygan Falls with his wife Lydia A. Kuhn, and they operated a farm. Although, John Kuhn was just an average man, he discovered something extraordinary and will go down in history for having a (so far) undisputed meteorite as his tombstone.Is it weird that we added a stop in a cemetery? Not at all! Although often seen today as dark and something to be avoided, rural cemeteries were once a place to enjoy nature and the company of friends and family. Organized rural cemeteries did not exist in America until Mount Auburn Cemetery was constructed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1831. This large, park like cemetery concept had never before been seen in the U.S., which as of yet did not have public parks, nature preserves, art museums or botanical gardens. Soon rural cemeteries were developing all over the country, and citizens flocked to these new “parks.” Located on the outskirts of cities and towns, rural cemeteries provided escape from the hustle and bustle of noisy, everyday life.Today, cemeteries can be considered open air museums full of art, history, stories, nature, wildlife, and gardening. Visitors can discover local history in a way that brings it to life. Benjamin Franklin said, “Show me your cemeteries and I will tell you what kind of people you have.” There are approximately 110 church-affiliated and independent cemeteries in Sheboygan County. So grab the picnic basket and make a date to explore the cemeteries!The Town of Rochester’s first cemetery did not emerge until nine years after settlers first arrived. Dorothy Chapin, wife of Deacon William Trowbridge died January 1, 1844 and became the first to be buried in the cemetery that was surrounded by Adams, Hickory, and Jackson Streets. This spot overlooking the Onion River and Sheboygan River continued to be the location for pioneer burials until the newly renamed Town of Sheboygan Falls bought 8.5 acres of land from Silas Stedman (buried in this cemetery) for $400 in 1854. Over the years paved roads, trees and landscaping, and water piped in from the Village of Kohler system have been added and maintained. The Village of Kohler Cemetery is located directly north of this cemetery. The Sheboygan Falls Cemetery is a city run cemetery and attended to by the Sheboygan Falls Public Works Department.

As you walk through the Sheboygan Falls cemetery, you will come across an unusual grave marker. This large stone marks the grave of John F. Kuhn, who claimed that the stone was a meteorite from space. Although that claim has not been officially confirmed, it is quite possibly true. Even if it isn't, the stone makes an impressive memorial and contributes to the landscape of this beautiful cemetery.

John F. Kuhn's Meteorite

The site of Settlers Park was first used commercially as a flour mill in 1848. This mill was destroyed by fire at least twice in its lifetime, and the property was sold in 1874 and 1875, only to be destroyed by fire once again. Not deterred by the property’s history, Richard H. Thomas, Sr. built a new mill on the water in 1897. In 1925, the Wisconsin Power and Light Company bought the property and built a hydro-electric station. The land beside the falls also became home to White Wagon Works during this time, after the small wagon and sled company relocated from Walnut Street to Broadway.In 1924, Albert Bemis and George Riddell bought White Wagon Works, changing the name to White Coaster Wagon Works. The company produced toys, wagons, sleds, radio cabinets, and novelty furniture. By 1928, Albert Bemis had controlling interest in the company, but business began to decline. The Great Depression made wagons and novelty furniture an unnecessary luxury. Albert Bemis, seeking new business ventures, purchased seat-making machinery, tools, dies, and patents from a Kohler-contracted company. Bemis began to produce toilet seats, which is the product they are most known for today! This pivotal move has allowed Bemis to remain one of Sheboygan Falls’ largest employers, now producing everything from bathroom to healthcare products.What was known as Bemis’s ‘Plant A’, began to decline in the late 1990s. Bemis decided to close the plant, raze it, and donate the riverfront property to the city of Sheboygan Falls. Bemis even hired a landscaping architect to create the plans for what is now Settlers Park. Officially opening in 2002, Settlers Park was partially fundraised by Bemis, a Wisconsin DNR grant, and various local organizations.Today, Settlers Park is a popular spot for picnics, recreation, and enjoying the natural beauty of the falls! The gazebo has hosted weddings, as well as the Sheboygan Falls Chamber summer concert series. The restored turbine warehouse serves as a reminder of Settlers Park’s vibrant industrial history.

Throughout the years Settlers Park has been home to a variety of buildings and businesses, including a flour mill, a hydro-electric station, and a wagon and sled company. In the 1990's the buildings on the land were razed and the land donated to the city of Sheboygan Falls. A landscaper was hired to plan Settlers Park, and it opened in 2002 to the public. Today the park hosts a number of events, including weddings and the Sheboygan Falls Chamber summer concert series.

Drive-Thru History

Esslingen Park

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources