Wisconsin Historical Markers: Fitchburg

Erected 2013 by Dane County Historical Society

and Fitchburg Historical Society

Fitchburg, Dane County, Wisconsin

42.962101,-89.469536

FITCHBURG

The settlement of Fitchburg developed along this road after the completion of the Illinois Central rail line from Freeport, Illinois to downtown Madisin in 1887.

Through the early 1900s the growing community consisted of the railroad depot, a general store, post office, blacksmith shop, implement dealership, two implement repair garages, feed mill, lumber mill, lumber and coal yards, stockyards, cheese factory and a railroad milk stop. Along with the businesses were several homes, including the residence of the Illinois Central section master, a small church and a nearby one-room school. A dance hall was located in the basement of the general store where local people gathered for parties.

NOTE: This is a two-sided marker. See also, Illinois Central Railroad.

The marker is located on the Badger State Bike Trail, alongside Wendt Road, between County Highway M (to the south) and Adams Road (to the north), Fitchburg, Wisconsin 53575.

The marker was dedicated October 20, 2013, at 1:30 p.m.

Fitchburg Historical Society: City Worker Mark Hodel holds the historical marker he just unwrapped commemorating the Illinois Central depot that once stood along present day Wendt Road.

This marker is No. 46 in the Dane County Historical Society Markers Series.

Fitchburg Historical Society

NOTE: A generous thank you!!! to Rich Eggleston for sharing photos of the dedication ceremony (see below).

A beautiful location!

Looking south along the Badger State Trail.

The marker's unveiling

The dedication ceremony

Permission to post DCHS Newsletter graciously granted by

Dane County Historical Society

The marker is located in Fitchburg, Wisconsin.

Comments from Visitors

Thank you so much for visiting, documenting, photographing and sharing our historic markers! This is truly an honor and it is much appreciated.
Jim Schuh
Chippewa County Historical Society

I just discovered your site and have been using it in my fourth grade summer school class in Viroqua, WI. We learned about Wisconsin throughout the year and are spending some time during summer school reading and talking about the history of Viroqua. We plan to take a walking trip to the Pioneer Cemetery and Lucy Stone marker. Thank you for all of your information!
Kimberly (Brye) Cade

Hi, I really love your historic marker site a lot, I write a travel blog and I get pictures of these markers to assist in my writing about each town. I went to the Dean House in January for their monthly tour. Here is a link.

lauriesportraits

Very nice blog post. I certainly love this site. Keep it up!
Anonymous

Thank you for posting this! I am Russ & Grace's grand-daughter & very happy they helped preserve this little slice of Soo Line history for future generations! Awesome website. Thanks for your work!
Lillian Ferrall

Thanks for writing about your experiences! This is such a unique and wonderful way to share the history of our wonderful Wisconsin!
tessalynn

Fitchburg

No comments:

Post a Comment

Stat Counter