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Recapturing the Small River Town Atmosphere of Early Alma, Wisconsin

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HISTORY IN THE NEWS


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BUFFALO COUNTY RIFLES In The Civil War
New Exhibit Postponed To 2021 Season

Of the 350 men who served in the American Civil War from Buffalo County, 68 of them were known as the Buffalo County Rifles. Of these 68 soldiers, 12 died in service and 25 were wounded (with several wounded more than once).  Organized & trained by John Hauser, a Swiss immigrant from Fountain City WI. He was a professional soldier & trained at the Swiss Military Academy in Thun, Switzerland.

The Buffalo County Rifles joined the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, the only all-Western brigade in the Eastern armies of the Union. Under the command of General Ulysses S Grant for most of the war, they were part of the First Brigade of the First Corps of the US Army of the Potomac. After the battle at Stone Mountain the brigade took on the name "The Iron Brigade" because they "stood like iron" in the face of withering enemy fire.

Through histories, memoirs and letters you'll learn more about their war experiences and yearnings to return home to their families & farms and the rivers, bluffs and valleys of Buffalo County, Wisconsin.

Do you have family information or artificats you would share in the development of this exhibit? Please contact Dorothy Peterson, curator of the Alma Area Museum, at 608-685-3554.
   
OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE A PIECE OF ALMA HISTORY
1932 Lueck's Service Station For Sale | 215 South Main Street, Alma WI

Currently an auto repair shop, this piece of Alma history just became available. Located in the middle of Alma's National Historic District. Service station built in 1932, one of the few original service buildings from this era remaining on the 250-mile Wisconsin Great River Road.

If this service station were to be restored it would make a great root beer stand, cafe, shop or microbrewery. Could see it attracting car collectors or motorcycle enthusiasts. Large parking lot. Views of the Mississippi River. Historic beer aging caves from the 1860s. Hillside property behind the building extends up to the alley between this property and the Catholic Church. Historic beer aging caves from 1864 still in place but closed off.  Gasoline tanks removed per EPA standards. Historic stairstep street is the southern property boundary.

INFORMATION FROM "Alma On The Mississippi"

215 South Main Street: "One story frame service station building covered with stucco. Gable roof with cornice returns." Add-on steel building on the north-side covers original north exterior wall & windows but could easily be removed.

Built on the site of the original Alma Brewery. Original large beer aging cave still remains in the hillside behind the building. The Alma Brewery was established in 1864 by John A Hunner, the brewery was operated for 2 years in conjunction with the boarding house known as the Wisconsin House. Sold to William Briggeboos and he operated the brewery until 1891 when he retired. In 1924 the old brewery building was razed and all that remains today is the large beer aging cave.

REALTOR LINK: https://commercial.century21.com/…/215-s-main-street-alma-w…
   

THIS STORIED RIVER: Legend And Lore of the Upper Mississippi

Cover of this new Wisconsin Historical Society Press publication written by Dennis McCann features a colorized version of Gerhard Gesell's 19th Century photo of ALMA Wisconsin: Historic River Town' The Alma Historical Society will have copies of this book available for purchase this summer at the Alma Area Museum.

Long-time journalist Dennis McCann takes us on an intimate tour of the Upper Mississippi River -- from Dubuque, Iowa, to the Minnesota headwaters, and dozens of places in between. Far more than a travel guide, "This Storied River" celebrates the Upper Mississippi's colorful history and the unique role the river has played in shaping the Midwest.

McCann explores the stories of people and places linked by the Mighty Mississippi's past, informed by newspaper accounts, local historical society documents, and the shoe-leather research of an experienced reporter with a deep love for his subject. Each chapter includes a short list of must-see sites for the modern-day explorer.
 

2020 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

       
DATE                EVENT                  TIME LOCATION
       
January 21st No Monthly Meeting
     
February 25th Monthly Meeting | Cancelled 7pm Alma City Hall
     
March 25th Monthly Meeting | Cancelled 7pm Alma City Hall
     
April 22nd Monthly Meeting | Cancelled 7pm Alma City Hall
       
June Annual Meeting | Cancelled 2pm Alma American Legion Hall
June 24th Monthly Meeting 7pm Alma City Hall
July 4th Opening Day -- Museum 1pm Alma Area Museum
Weekly, Sat-Sun Museum Open 1pm-4pm Alma Area Museum
       
July 25th Swiss Heritage Day Presentation 1-4pm, hourly Alma Area Museum
July 28th Annual Picnic 5pm Rieck's Lake Park
       
August 26th Monthly Meeting  7pm Alma City Hall
August 30th Museum Closing Day 1pm-4pm Alma Area Museum
September 23rd Monthly Meeting 7pm Alma City Hall
       
October 21st Monthly Meeting 7pm Alma City Hall
        
November 18th Holiday Potluck 5pm Burlington Hotel
       
December No Monthly Meeting    

 
 
PIECE OF ALMA'S HISTORY REVEALED
VINTAGE SIGN FOUND ON BUILDING | Alma WI
SELZ Shoe Advertisement

A SELZ Advertising Sign was revealed on the buiding at 321 South Main Street.  Although the sign has been removed through a renovation project, it was great to enjoy its discovery.

The "SELZ Royal Blue Shoes $3.50" sign was hand-painted on tin siding on the south wall.  SELZ shoes were manufactured from 1871 through the 1920s, first in Chicago and then in other factories around Illinois.  The sign has now been removed by the building owner and its disposition is unknown at this time.  When you live in an historic river town dating back to 1848, you never know what will be uncovered!

INFORMATION FROM "Alma On The Mississippi"

321 South Main Street: Johan Adam TRITSCH & Franz Xaver TRITSCH opened their mercantile store on this site in 1872 later moving their mercantile business to their new brick building at 314 South Main in 1876.  A new building was erected at 321 South Main in 1897 by Frank TRITSCH and the first occupant was a meat market operated by Frederick SCHNEIDER & sons.  In 1905 the building was purchased from Frank TRITSCH by J L STOHR where he operated a furniture store and funeral home.
  

Alma On The Mississippi
"MEMORIAL EDITION" ON SALE!!!


Alma Historical Society's reprinted flagship publication Alma On The Mississippi is available for purchase.  Originally published in 1980 and reprinted in 1982 and 1994, this new edition is known as the Memorial Edition and includes the photo album added with the 1994 reprint.  Copies can be purchased by sending your check to the Alma Historical Society or by visiting the Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center in Alma, Wisconsin.  

To purchase your copy send your check for $24 to:

Alma Historical Society
PO Box 473, Alma, Wisconsin 54610

Please allow two weeks for delivery.  
Cost includes $6 for shipping and handling.


Alma Historical Society    505 South 2nd Street     P.O. Box 473    Alma, Wisconsin  54610    contact@almahistory.info
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