Cedarburg in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Origin of Cedar Creek / Mills on the Creek
(Double Sided Marker)
Photographed By Paul F, July 2, 2009
1. Origin of Cedar Creek Marker
Dropping approximately eighty feet in two and half miles, Cedar Creek’s falling water power provided enough energy to drive Cedarburg’s many mills for over one hundred years. The creek rises from big and Little Cedar Lakes near West Bend, flowing about fifteen miles eastward and abruptly changing course southward in the Town of Cedarburg. Blocked by dense limestone rock in the township and cutting through a narrow valley, Cedar Creek turns toward the City of Cedarburg with full force.
Recognizing the energy potential of Cedar Creek’s rapidly falling water, business speculators Frederick Hilgen and William Schroeder built a log and frame grist mill on the creek in 1844. Eleven years later, they replaced the wooden mill with the nearby stone Cedarburg Mill. Five stories high and massive in scale, Cedarburg Mill was built by Burchard Weber who constructed the building in large blocks of gray limestone. The mill could produce 120 barrels of flour a day, leading to four additional mills along the creek in the mid 19th century.
Erected 1997 by State Historical Society of Wisconsin. (Marker Number 359.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features
this page online
Location. 43° 17.843′ N, 87° 59.159′ W. Marker is in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, in Ozaukee County. Marker is at the intersection of Columbia Road and Mequon Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Columbia Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cedarburg WI 53012, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The First 100 Years (a few steps from this marker); Cedarburg Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); The History of the Boerner Building (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Interurban Bridge / Riding the Interurban (about 700 feet away); Liberty Tree Memorial (about 700 feet away); Cedarburg Cultural Center Building (about 700 feet away); Washington Avenue Historic District / Historic District Architecture (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Cedarburg (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cedarburg.
Photographed By Paul F, July 2, 2009
2. Mills on the Creek Marker
Photographed By Paul F, July 2, 2009
3. Origin of Cedar Creek / Mills on the Creek Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 957 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 28, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
