USA > Wisconsin > Waukesha County > The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources; an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages etc > Part 102
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" The old part has been faced with rock-faced rubble stone laid in courses, with stone caps, sills and window dressings. The additions are faced with the well-known cream-colored Milwau- kee brick, with cut-stone trimmings. The foundations are solidly built of stone resting upon a
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hard gravelly bed, while the natural slope of the ground insures good ventilation and good dry cellar room.
"The front on Grand avenue is three stories high above the surface of the ground, and the roof line is broken by the pavilions, tower and center gable. A number of rooms are finished off in the higher portions of the roof, but the intervening or connecting parts are not finished into rooms.
" The ground, which slopes rapidly to the west, will be handsomely terraced and ornamented with shrubbery and flowers. This natural slope of the ground leaves the entire basement story above the natural surface, so that all the various departments located therein are most perfectly lighted and aired by natural means. Great attention has been paid to the drainage and sewer- age, several thousand feet of the largest-sized drain pipe having been laid for the purpose of providing the best system that modern skill and knowledge can devise.
" The entire building will be well supplied with water forced by powerful steam pumps to three large iron tanks in the highest points of the roof, from which tanks the water will be dis- tributed to the several stories in the building ; in connection with these pumps will be placed three stand-pipes with three large glove valves and fire hose on the floor.
" The entire building will be lighted with gas, made on the premises, but in a separate and isolated building.
" The building has been designed not only for the purpose of housing a large number of peo- ple, but special exertions have been made to provide the very best accommodations for all who come. Every comfort has been provided, the rooms are all large, well lighted, aired and venti- lated, and many of them are provided with handsome mantels and fire-grates, so that those who come early and stay late can have a cheerful fire when needed. The halls are wide, high and spacious, are straight, and cross each other at right angles, and, being well lighted, there can be no danger in getting from one part of the house to another, or of being lost in the confusion incident to the intricate and dark passages of ordinary summer resorts.
" The guests' parlors and sleeping-rooms are all arranged en suite, so that families or parties of any size can be accommodated with connecting rooms whenever desired.
" The main entrance is through the tower at the northeast angle, through a large vestibule to the office, which is fifty feet square, and the clerk's desk commands a view of the principal halls, entrances and stairways.
" The main stairway is sixteen feet wide, and the others, four in number, are twelve and four- teen feet wide. All are what are known as square-landing staircases, and being lighted and aired by windows on each landing, and rising easy, it will not be tiresome to ascend them.
" The reading and waiting room is the first room from the office, and is twenty by thirty-two feet, with three large windows, a cozy mantel and fireplace. The reception parlors are 20x20 feet and 20x23 feet, respectively, and are connected by sliding doors. Next we come to the four grand parlors, which, when thrown together by sliding doors, are 136 feet in length by an average width of 24 feet. All these rooms are on one side of the main hall, on the opposite side of which is the ladies' ordinary, or a small dining-room 38x50 feet, connecting with the nurses and children's dining-room, 28x33 feet. Next is the grand dining-room, which for size and general proportions is equal to any in the States. It is 50 feet wide by 106 feet long, and 24 feet high in the clear, and free from any obstructions of columns or posts. It is lighted on all sides by large plate-glass windows opening out into the pure air. There are three large domes in the ceiling, the center one 24 feet in diameter, and one on each side of the center 14 feet in diameter. These domes are filled with ornamental glass, and suspended from each of them are large gas chande- liers and reflectors, which, with the side-bracket cluster lights, when lighted up will give a most brilliant appearance. In the rear of these dining-rooms are the kitchen and working departments, such as dish and carving rooms, meat-rooms, refrigerators, etc., all fitted up with the most approved modern appliances for cooking, steaming and boiling. The range is 24 feet in length, of the best French pattern, and there are two six-foot meat broilers, besides meat and vegetable hroilers, tea, coffee, and chocolate boilers, steam, carving and vegetable tables, etc.
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"South of the parlors and dining-rooms on the first floor of the building is divided up into guests' rooms. Many of the rooms have bath-rooms and dressing-rooms in connection, so that guests can have the luxury of a cold or warm bath without leaving their apartments.
"The second and third floors and the more prominent portions of the attics will be devoted entirely to guests' rooms and the necessary dressing-rooms and lavatories ; the servants' rooms being located in the basement.
" Every room in the house has a large closet attached, so that the dreaded Sar atogas and double-deckers can be stored away and still leave room enough for the wardrobes.
"The stories are all of them very high, being as follows: First story, fifteen feet; second story, twelve feet, and the third story, eleven feet in the clear.
" The basement is eleven feet high, and, being all out of ground, there is no deficiency of either light or air. In it are the public lavatory and dressing-rooms, porters', boot-blacks' and storage rooms, trunk and sample rooms, vegetable, fuel and ice rooms.
" Under the grand dining-room are located the bar and billiard rooms, 45x50 feet, barbers' parlor, 45x50 feet, with four bath-rooms, attached. South of the billiard-room is the bowling- alley and shooting gallery, 24x100 feet, containing three splendid alleys with unobstructed light and air. The laundry, with its large and spacious, drying and ironing rooms, together with the servants' ward and dining-room, are in the north wing of the basement, and are com- plete in every essential.
" Communication by electric bells and telephone is had in every room from the main office ; and telegraphic communication direct with all the Southern and Western cities, as well as telephonic connection with Milwaukee and Chicago will be made so that rooms can be en- gaged and railroad connections made without delay or annoyance. There is a veranda, two stories in height, extending all round the building to the dining-room wing on the west side, which, with the connecting halls, makes a promenade of several miles without leaving the house. The furniture of the house, without being of extravagant or gaudy kind, is of the best designs and manufacture ; and the carpets and upholstery are of the best. The traveler, on business or pleasure, and the invalid in search of health, pure air and recreation, with the health-giving virtues of the celebrated Waukesha Springs, can be assured of no better care and attention else- where.
" Among the notable features of the interior of the house-one that attracts the attention most forcibly-is the superb chandelier which depends from the center of the dome of the grand dining-room, and contains twenty-six gas jets, while on either side is another chandelier, con- taining twelve gas jets, making fifty jets of light depending from the ceiling of this magnificent room. When all are ablaze, the scene is indescribably beautiful, and one can picture how dazzlingly brilliant will be the dinner assemblage here at the height of the season.
" The whole was designed and planned by the eminent hotel architect of the United States, William M. Boyington, of Chicago, who is well known as the designer and builder of the best and largest hotels of the United States and Canadas. His last work, the " Fountain Spring," is not inferior in any respect to any hotel on the Continent. By his professional skill every advantage has been gained and every improvement been considered and judiciously adopted ; prompt and responsible contractors have been selected for the performance of the several branches of the work, and his assistant and former partner, J. W. Roberts, of Chicago, was placed in charge as resident superintendent, under the immediate supervision of the architect.
" The total cost of the building and furniture is in the neighborhood of $150,000, which is about half of what it would have cost in ordinary times.
" The numerous friends and patrons of the house will no doubt be glad to learn that Mr. Albert Cleveland, the former popular host, is to be manager of the house. This makes the third season of Mr. Cleveland's management, and it can be stated as something unusual that he has proved himself more and more popular since first assuming the position, not alone among those who have sojourned with him, but by all with whom he has had business relations. Courteous and gentlemanly in all places, yet retaining sufficient dignity to give the importance to his position
Henry Phillips LISBON.
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that a successful management demands, thus he has served guest and proprietor equally well, and has given a reputation to the Fountain Spring House superior to that enjoyed by any other summer resort in the West.
" In this connection it is proper to speak of the aid rendered by George H. Laflin in building up the business of the hotel in years past, and of the extensive arrangements now being made by him for the business of the coming season. He is corresponding with parties in all sections of the United States, with a view of bringing to the attention of tourists the extraordinary opportunities offered here for their pleasure and comfort. During many years of business life he has become acquainted with people from every section of the country, and is thus enabled to put in his work where it will do the most good.
"And here we bid adieu to one of the most agreeable topics of the season, and confidently call attention to the superior attractions of Waukesha as a summer resort, whether it be for the traveler, the pleasure-seeker or the invalid ; and in so doing we can imagine no better or more comfortable a shelter than is to be found under the roof of the Fountain Spring House. The original Fountain House, begun in 1873, cost $160,000. The new building, with furniture, is valued at over a quarter of a million."
Park Hotel .- This beautifully located pleasure house was erected in 1874 by Lemuel White, for a residence. It is of stone, three stories high above basement, with a mansard roof. The property is owned by the White heirs, consisting of Mrs. Elizabeth J. Watson, Mrs. Ellen D. Monteith, Mrs. Hattie G. Gove and M. E. Cole. The structure is on Broadway, opposite the Silurian Spring and Park. The grounds surrounding the hotel comprise several acres, which are covered with orchards, gardens and shade trees. A recent writer says of the Park Hotel : "In front and on either side is one of the oldest parks in Waukesha, which contains more than a dozen different varieties of trees; to the rear stretch acres of a fine old orchard, now in the richest bloom-and across the street is the Silurian Mineral Spring, park, pavilions and bath house-the buildings all new and elegant. This spring is one of the largest and best in Wau- kesha, and within two minutes' walk of the Park Hotel. Its waters are always on draught, fresh every hour in the hotel, and on the table at every meal. The situation and surroundings, indescribably charming as they are, do not make the Park Hotel famous more than do its elegant rooms-all rendered cool and fragrant by the surrounding pines, spruce, aspens, maples, elm and fruit trees-and the unapproachable cleanliness, elegance and its variety of its tables. The grounds surrounding the hotel are ample for all lawn amusements, tents, hammocks, etc., and are everywhere shaded. Those desiring to tent on the grounds can have tents furnished, if desirable, while hammocks and lawn games will be always at the disposal of the guests. There is no crowding on the grounds of this hotel at the bottom of the Silurian Ocean, and guests have the choice of orchard, lawn or park." The site was originally an Indian camping and burial place, and in the earlier days of the village was a large nursery. When the nursery was destroyed, Mr. White preserved the best specimens of all the different varieties growing, and thus made, with the exception of Morris D. Cutler's, the finest park in Waukesha. Thus the fine park, high grounds and substantial buildings combine to make a place of unexcelled attractions. The manager is Mrs. F.E. Lewis.
Cambrian House .- Ed Evrard began the hotel business in Waukesha in an old building on the west side of the Fox River, which becoming too small, he tore down, and built, in 1879, the present structure on the same site. The old hotel was called the Cambrian House, and the new one took the same name. The contract for the new building was let to Jacob Wright, of Dela- field. The structure, of the best brick, three stories in height, and costing about $7,000, was completed and opened for business in August, 1879. The hotel will accommodate upward of sixty guests ; is elegantly furnished in every department, and is finished in the highest style of mechanical skill. Every room is thoroughly ventilated and well lighted. The house is well patronized.
Dunbar's Bethesda Hotel .- The late Richard Dunbar contemplated erecting a large hotel in the Bethesda Park, but before his death only progressed far enough to lay the corner
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HISTORY OF WAUKESHA COUNTY.
stone. This stone bears the following inscription: "This stone was laid by Hon. Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice of the United States, August 24, 1871." As he applied the mortar which was to cement the stone to its foundation, Justice Chase, since deceased, spoke as follows : "At the request of Col. Dunbar, the proprietor, I now lay this corner stone in the hope and confi- dent expectation that the house to be erected will prove a pleasant home to many resorting hither from this State, from other States and from other lands, to find refreshment and renova- tion in the healthful air of this locality, and the healing waters of your spring, which has been so fitly named Bethesda."
There was a very large concourse of people present on this occasion, which was an inter- esting one. A lengthy address was delivered by S. A. Randles. Now that Mr. Dunbar is dead, it is not known when the hotel will be erected.
National Hotel .- This substantial hotel building, three stories high, and of Waukesha lime- stone, was built on the south side of Main street, in 1871, by John Sperber, who has ever since been its proprietor.
Fox River House .- In 1869, Martin Shafer erected a large brick hotel structure on the west side of the river, which was managed as a public house by him and his heirs until destroyed by fire in 1878. It was a fine building and well appointed as a public house.
The other hotels are the Farmers' Home and Waukesha House. The boarding houses in Waukesha, which are open during the crowded season in the summer, can hardly be mentioned. There are, however, about fifty, and more than a hundred other families take a few boarders after all the hotels and more regular boarding houses are full.
VILLAGE OFFICERS FROM 1852 TO 1880.
Presidents .- Nelson Burroughs, 1852 ; W. D. Bacon, 1853; Charles S. Hawley, 1854 ; A. Miner, 1855 ; Alexander F. Pratt, 1856; William Blair, 1857; Alexander F. Pratt, 1858 -59; William Blair, 1860-61; John Forbes, 1862; William Blair, 1863; John Fallon, 1864 ; N. A. Spooner, 1865; R. L. Gove, 1866; Isaac Lain, 1867; Vernon Tichenor, 1868 ; R. L. Gove, 1869; Isaac Lain, 1870; W. V. Tichenor, 1871-72; R. M. Jame- son, 1873 ; Richard Dunbar, 1874; Vernon Tichenor, 1875-76; R. L. Gove, 1877; William Blair, 1878; P. H. Carney, 1879; Henry M. Youmans, 1880.
Clerks .- E. M. Randall, 1852-55; O. McMahon, 1856-59; H. W. Sherman and Fred. Ring, Jr., 1860 ; Fred. Ring, Jr., and J. A. Williams, 1861 ; Vernon Tiche- nor, 1862; L. B. Lyman, 1863; O. McMahon, 1864; C. G. Heath, 1865; William R. Williams, 1866; W. V. Tichenor, 1867-68; O. McMahon, 1869; N. Smith and W. V. Tichenor, 1870 ; Frank H. Putney, 1871-74 ; John Forbes, 1875; George C. Pratt, 1876; O. McMahon and George C. Pratt, 1877 ; Ira Kimball, 1878-79 ; Ira Kimball and F. M. Slawson, 1880.
Treasurers .- John P. Story, 1852; J. L. Delano, 1853-54; Vernon Tichenor, 1855 ; William F. Fette, 1856 ;- , 1857; William F. Fette, 1858; Gustavus Meyer, 1859; M. G. Townsend, 1860; H. N. Davis, 1861; P. H. Carney, 1862 ; John E. Jewett, 1863-65; James Hunkins, 1866 ; Ira Kimball, 1867 ; Leander Hill, 1868 ; James Hunkins, 1869 ; Alonzo Tyler, 1870 ; John E. Jewett, 1871 ; Frederick Slawson, 1872-75; D. R. Prindle, 1876; P. P. Mulligan, 1877 ; O. Culver, 1878; C. A. Haertel, 1879 : D. R. Prindle, 1880.
Marshals .- J. L. Delano, 1852 ; D. Casey, 1853 ; James M. Hurlbut, 1854-55; Michael J. O'Brien, 1856-57 ; Joseph O'Brien, 1858-59; B. B. Brown, 1860; Ira Kimball, 1861; Chas. Zimmerman, 1862 ; J. E. Reauh, 1863 ; S. H. Barstow, 1864 ; Wm. K. Hunkins, 1865; Robert H. Jones, 1866; O. Culver, 1867 ; R. H. Jones, 1868 ; O. Culver, 1869 ; Peter Telyea, 1870-71 ; O. Culver, 1872 ; Peter Telyea, 1873; Geo. R. Jones, 1874; Conrad Sehrt, 1875; Robert Varley, 1876-77 ; W. C. Holbrook, 1878; David Johnson, 1879-80.
Trustees .- J. R. Prouty, W. D. Bacon, S. S. Case, C. S. Hawley, Alex. Cook, Joseph Turner, 1852; Wm. Blair, Wm. F. Fette, J. Turner, Elihu Enos, Jr., M. D. Cutler, G. C. Cone, 1853; Thos. D. Cook, Edward Chester, M. D. Cutler, W. D. Bacon, Wm. Blair, Alex.
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HISTORY OF WAUKESHA COUNTY.
Cook, 1854 ; T. H. Tucker, Geo. Hatch, J. P. Pullen, Wm. Blair, A. McCall, 1855 [village here divided into wards for one year]. First Ward-Thos. D. Cook, H. N. Davis, Jabez Burchard, 1856. Second Ward-John Fallon, Chris. Nohl, Thos. Curtis, 1856 ; John Fallon, John Gaspar, E. M. Randall, Amos Smith, Vernon Tichenor, 1857 ; Wm. Soper, John E. Gal- lagher, John Fallon, John Collins, C. L. Robinson, Erastus Barnes, 1858; Wm. Soper, John Fallon, D. K. Warren, James Poole, Wm. Blair, 1859; O. Z. Olin, R. N. Kimball, C. C. White, A. F. Root, Isaac Lain, S. A. Bean, 1860; R. N. Kimball, A. F. Root, E. Chester, D. Casey, R. B. Hammond, Isaac Lain, 1861; O. M. Tyler, Aaron Blank, Wm. Blair, Hum- phrey Price, H. A. Meyer, Jr., Silas Barber, 1862; Wm. S. Barnard, John Forbes, Wm. S. Hawkins, Humphrey Price, Julius Reise, John Tyler, 1863; Sebina Barney, M. Schafer, J. L. Kennedy, Wm. Soper, Geo. C. Pratt, Erastus Barnes, 1864; John Forbes, R. B. Ham- mond, James Poole, L. B. Wright, Julius Reise, Stephen Webber, 1865; Silas Barber. L. B. Wright, Joseph O'Brien, Geo. C. Pratt, M. Schafer, Michael Gleason, 1866 ; R. B. Hammond, R. N. Kimball, Vernon Tichenor, O. M. Tyler, T. D. Cook, John Forbes, 1867 ; James Poole, Charles Cark, Joseph O'Brien, R. M. Jameson, Julius Reise, O. M. Hubbard, 1868 ; Silas Richardson, M. Schafer, W. H. Bogle, W. S. Green, G. E. Fuller, Geo. C. Pratt, 1869 ; W. S. Barnard, E. A. Church, R. N. Kimball, N. McBeath, F. Slawson, Orville Tyler, 1870; M. Schafer, R. N. Kimball, H. H. Hunkins, Michael Gleason, Wm. Langer, O. Z. Olin, 1871; Wm. Langer, Arthur Holbrook, Michael Gleason, Peter Lau, Thos. H. Nelson, John J. Clarke, 1872 ; James Poole, H. H. Hunkins, Conrad Sehrt, Samuel Dodd, S. E. Allen, Chas. A. Est- berg, 1873; Silas Barber, James Poole, Thos. Haynes, Peter Lau, Richard Street, O. Z. Olin, 1874 ; Chas. A. Estberg, O. Culver, F. M. Putney, Peter Lau, Henry Deakin, Martin Brown, 1875; Chas. A. Estberg, Richard Street, Ira Kimball, James Poole, F. M. Putney, Wm. S. Green, 1876 ; Sebina Barney, Jacob Sanner, John J. Clarke, John E. Lau, Wm. S. Green, F. M. Putney, 1877 ; Charles Cork, R. M. Jameson, Michael Gleason, F. M. Putney, T. C. Mar- tin, 1878 ; M. S. Griswold, Hugh Williams, N. McBeath, Peter Lau, B. Boorman, Frank Blair, 1879; Alex. Cook, G. F. H. Barber, John E. Lau, O. Culver, A. S. Putney, C. A. Haertel, 1880.
Assessors .- John A. Dunbar, William Blair, 1852; J. A. Dunbar, Isaac Lain, 1853; J. A. Dunbar, John P. Story, 1854; D. Vankirk, E. Chester, 1855. [The village was divided into two wards for one year. ] First Ward-D. Vankirk, 1856; Second Ward-O. McMahon, 1855; George C. Pratt, John Gasper, 1858; George C. Pratt, 1859; D. Vankirk, 1860 and 1861. The Assessor of the town of Waukesha now assesses the village of Waukesha also.
Street Commissioners .- W. D. Horton, 1868; H. H. Hunkins, 1869; F. M. Putney, 1870; C. P. Silvernale, 1871; Alexander F. Pratt, 1872; J. W. Gilman, 1873, 1874 and 1875; O. M. Hubbard, 1876; George C. Pratt, 1877; John Gibbs, 1878-80.
CONFLAGRATIONS.
The first fire of note occured January 11, 1844, and destroyed S. Ormsby's store, with $2,000 worth of goods. The weather was bitter cold, and the facilities for fighting fire con- sisted of a few stray buckets and pails.
The Fox River House, built by Martin Schafer, was burned on Thanksgiving night, in 1878. The fire, which was of unknown origin, consumed the hotel barn, two horses, a quantity of harnesses, and the hotel furniture. The loss was about $12,000, on which there was an insurance of $6,300 on building and furniture.
The Fountain House, built by Matthew Laflin, took fire in its kitchen at 11 o'clock P. M., of the last Thursday in August, 1878. The little fire appliances then belonging to Waukesha Village were of little use in fighting so large a fire, and the authorities sent to Milwaukee for aid. Engines arrived from that city at 5 o'clock in the morning, and succeeded in saving the walls of ahout one-quarter of the building, although the fire had been raging six hours. The hotel contained about 200 guests and seventy-five employes, all of whom escaped safely with
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clothing and baggage. The loss was covered by an insurance of $55,000 on the building and
$20,000 on furniture. The hotel cost, $160,000; and the loss was estimated to have been from $100,000 to $125,000.
One of the disastrous fires to the village was that which burned the Smith or Hill block. The buildings burned were built by Dr. J. Smith, and stood where the Opera House and Com- mercial block now stand. They were consumed in 1868, probably, and remained in ruins until 1874, when Mrs. E. H. Carney built the present fine blocks in their place.
On the 22d of March, 1856, a fire was seen issuing from the windows of A. F. Pratt's printing office. A Mr. Wheeler ran into the building, which was on the south side of Main street, and found one Doty, who was in Mr. Pratt's employ, in a drunken stupor on the bed, and the room was enveloped in flames. Doty was rescued, but the building, with its contents, was consumed, and all the other buildings from Burrough's Block to the corner where J. A. Waite's market now is. The heaviest losers were Joseph Turner, A. F. Pratt and John An- grave.
The old Milwaukee & Mississippi car shops burned in September, 1877, and made a large fire. They were owned by Russell N. Kimball, who had no insurance on the property.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department of Waukesha Village depends entirely upon the volunteer services of the citizens of the place. The village pays a janitor (he will get no pay for his services for 1880, however, owing to a lack of funds, in which case he must spend his own time for the benefit and safety of the property-owners of the entire village) ; pays for the coal used to warm the building, and for all acids and soda used in the extinguishers. Some time after the close of the war, two pumps, worked by hand, were purchased by the village at a very moderate cost. But, owing to the scarcity of water in certain localities, and the extreme exertion required to work them, an effort was made to secure the purchase of a steam fire engine. For this purpose, the question of raising a tax of $2,500 was submitted to a vote of the people and defeated. A tax of $1,500 was agreed to by vote of the people August 11, 1874, and Richard Street and James Poole were appointed to report as to how the money should be expended. After jour- neys to Milwaukee and Chicago, and examining all the fire extinguishers that could be had for $1,500 they reported as follows :
Your committee on examination of chemical fire engines respectfully report that, in accordance with an invita- tion extended to them by the Babcock Manufacturing Company, of Chicago, to examine their machines, they visited that city and carefully examined the construction and working of the Babcock Fire Engine, and your committee are unanimous in expressing their satisfaction with the style, material and workmanship of their machines ; the price with 200 feet of hose for an 80-gallon machine is $900 ; for two machines, $1,800. Your committee further report that they also visited Milwaukee and examined the Champion Fire Extinguisher, and were very much pleased with the strength and simplicity of said fire extinguisher. Chief Lippert, of Fire Department, Milwaukee, recommends the Champion as the simplest and most effective chemical fire extinguisher he has seen. The price of the Champion for two machines, of 100 gallons capacity each, with 100 feet of hose, is $1,400. The difference in price between the Babcock and Champion is $400 in favor of the Champion, with the addition of 40 gallons greater capacity. Under these circumstances, your committee recommend the purchase of two Champion Fire Engines. They are of greater capacity and cost $400 less.
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