Fox Lake in Dodge County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Bernard R. "Bunny" Berigan

(1908–1942)

Photographed By Keith L, September 27, 2009

1. Bernard R. "Bunny" Berigan Marker

Inscription. This was the hometown of famed jazz trumpeter and band leader, Bunny Berigan. As a child he played in the Fox Lake Juvenile Band directed by his grandfather, John C. Schlitzberg.

In his early teens, he began his professional career with the Merrill Owen dance band at Beaver Dam. A few years later in Madison, he was in demand for campus dances.

Beginning in 1930, he became the featured soloist for such band leaders as Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman, and the Dorsey Brothers. Singers Bing Crosby and the Boswell Sisters were among those who recorded with him. With his own orchestra in 1937, he recorded his most popular hit and theme song, "I Can't Get Started With You."

Jazz great Louis Armstrong predicted Berigan would be the trumpeter most likely to succeed him in the affection of music lovers, but Berigan's life and music came to an untimely end at age of 33 in New York City. He is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery south of Fox Lake.

Erected 1976 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 220.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location.

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43° 33.515′ N, 88° 54.424′ W. Marker is in Fox Lake, Wisconsin, in Dodge County. Marker is on Spring Street (State Highway 33) 0.1 miles south of Cordelia Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is at a highway pull-off at Adams Spring Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fox Lake WI 53933, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First House Site in Dodge County, Wisconsin (approx. 3.2 miles away); Frederick Douglass (approx. 7.8 miles away); Wayland Hall (approx. 8.1 miles away); Emerson P. Hawley '91 (approx. 8.2 miles away); Adrian Joss '98 (approx. 8.2 miles away); David J. Jones (approx. 10.1 miles away); Historical Site (approx. 10.1 miles away); Carnegie Library (approx. 10.2 miles away).

Also see . . . Bunny Berigan. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on October 4, 2009.)

Photographed By Keith L, September 27, 2009

2. Bernard R. "Bunny" Berigan Marker

Nearby Fox Lake Historic Depot Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith L, September 27, 2009

3. Nearby Fox Lake Historic Depot Museum

Bernard R. "Bunny" Berigan Grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Eric Kuntz, June 7, 2014

4. Bernard R. "Bunny" Berigan Grave

St. Mary's Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Eric Kuntz, June 7, 2014

5. St. Mary's Cemetery

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,644 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 4, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4, 5. submitted on June 7, 2014, by Eric Kuntz of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.