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

Silurian Spring

Photographed by Paul F, October 5, 2010

1. Silurian Spring Marker

Inscription. Silurian Spring is a natural flowing spring situated on an elevation 50’ above the Fox River. David Jackson, the first postmaster of Waukesha (which was then known as Prairieville), built his log cabin west of the present day spring and used the water. David Smeaton named and promoted the spring in 1874. From that time through the 1930’s, Silurian water was bottled and shipped nationwide from this spring. A beautifully landscaped park once existed on this site with a bath house, pond, roller coaster, bandstand and bottling plant. Guests crowded to the Park to hear concerts and drink the water. The Casino Theater was located behind the spring. Popular touring plays were presented there every summer. This structure was built in 1926. Since the city acquired the park in 1941, the structure has been restored numerous times and has served as a reminder of Waukesha’s Spring Era. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Local Waukesha Landmark.

Erected 2018 by City of Waukesha Landmarks Commission Springs Committee. (Marker Number 34-14.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 43° 0.577′ N, 88° 13.371′

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W. Marker is in Waukesha, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County. It can be reached from Post Office Circle 0.1 miles west of East Broadway Street and North Hartwell Avenue. Marker is located in Waukesha Spring Park, North Hartwell Avenue, but is most easily accessible from Post Office Circle, off East Broadway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waukesha WI 53186, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Milwaukee.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: New Tribes Bible Institute (approx. ¼ mile away); Courthouse Complex (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Waukesha Freeman (approx. 0.3 miles away); American Legion Home (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rotunda (approx. 0.4 miles away); Waukesha Civic Theatre (WCT) (approx. 0.4 miles away); Carroll College (approx. half a mile away); Waukesha City - Cutler Park (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waukesha.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Courthouse Square (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Marker was redone by the City of Waukesha Landmarks Commission Springs Committee.

Additional commentary.
1. Current status of Spring
Today this spring is housed in a stone structure that sits behind the current Waukesha Post Office and YMCA in a city park.

Photographed by Linda Hansen, September 29, 2018

2. Silurian Spring Marker
— Submitted May 27, 2011, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Photographed by Paul F, October 5, 2010

3. Silurian Spring Marker

Silurian Spring image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul F, October 5, 2010

4. Silurian Spring

Front door to spring building

Photographed by Paul F, October 5, 2010

5. Silurian Spring

Plaque on the side of spring building

Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 5,097 times since then and 85 times this year. Last updated on October 8, 2018, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on October 11, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on October 8, 2018, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin. 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 11, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.