Paoli Marker

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Paoli in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Paoli

By William J. Toman, September 6, 2010

1. Paoli Marker

Inscription. A meander of the Sugar River, providing an excellent waterpower opportunity, prompted Peter W. Matts to acquire acreage in Montrose Township in 1846. He erected a sawmill in 1847, soon followed by his home, a tavern and a general store. Matts platted Paoli in 1856, and named it for a town near his Pennsylvania birthplace.

In 1864, Francis and Bernard Minch purchased the sawmill and built a stone grist mill. By the mid 1870s, the community boasted a school, post office, two churches, a cheese factory, two hotels, a doctor and several tradesmen.

The Chicago, Madison and Northern Railroad bypassed Paoli in 1888, but the settlement prospered past the turn of the century; the proud possessor of a local band, an acclaimed baseball team and theatre group. The public ground and Fischer Hall were often used for holiday, social and political events.

As the mill era passed, the population declined. Recently, the community has shown new vitality; buildings have been restored, a new town hall acquired, and new businesses opened.

Erected 1990 by Dane County Historical Society. (Marker Number 27.)

Marker series. This marker is included in the Wisconsin, Dane County Historical Society marker series.

Location.

By William J. Toman, September 6, 2010

2. Paoli Marker

Paoli Park (the town square) is in the background.

42° 55.749′ N, 89° 31.626′ W. Marker is in Paoli, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is at the intersection of County Road PB and Paoli Road, on the left when traveling south on County Road PB. Click for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1392 County Road PD, Belleville WI 53508, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. St. Raphael's Frenchtown Cemetery (approx. 2.7 miles away); Lake Harriet School (approx. 3.5 miles away); Dane County Home (approx. 4.5 miles away); Swan Pond (approx. 4.6 miles away); Early Belleville / Library Park (approx. 4.9 miles away); Pioneer Scottish Settlement (approx. 5.7 miles away); John Mann House (approx. 6.1 miles away); Dogtown - Fish Hatchery School (approx. 6.4 miles away).

Also see . . . The History of Paoli. The Paoli town website offers vintage photos as well as additional information on the history and area. (Submitted on September 20, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.)

By William J. Toman, September 6, 2010

3. Paoli Marker

By William J. Toman, October 16, 2010

4. Fischer Hall

The old community building mentioned in the marker, which was built in the 1850s.

By William J. Toman, October 16, 2010

5. Fischer Hall

Credits. This page originally submitted on September 14, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 482 times since then. Last updated on September 18, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 16, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 4, 5. submitted on October 17, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.