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

“Kissel”

Photographed by Paul F, September 20, 2009

1. "Kissel" Marker

Inscription. The Kissel Motor Car Company was located across the river from this site. Kissel manufactured vehicles here for 25 years, from 1906 until 1931. Passenger cars, trucks, ambulances, funeral cars, taxicabs, and fire trucks were among the varied types. In 1918 Kissel introduced a line of low, graceful, sporty cars which were style leaders for years. The Kissel “Gold Bug” and White Eagle Speedster models achieved international acclaim and brought many celebrity purchasers to Hartford. The famous design of these cars has a lasting beauty and today they are prized collector’s items.

The Kissel family’s own steam car inspired two brothers, George and William, to build a car of their own in 1905 that was powered by a gasoline engine. On June 6, 1906, they acquired a state charter and began manufacturing with only $15,000 cash. By 1922 they grew to an enterprise worth over $3 million. During Kissel’s peak year, the company built some 4,000 units. The company was a casualty of the Great Depression in 1931 as an automobile producer, but was reorganized and manufactured a variety of products including government material during World War II.

Erected 1968 by Wisconsin State Historical Society. (Marker Number 154.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic

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list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1906.

Location. 43° 19.031′ N, 88° 22.251′ W. Marker is in Hartford, Wisconsin, in Washington County. It is on East Sumner Avenue (State Highway 60) half a mile east of Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hartford WI 53027, 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Willard R. Amidon Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lohr’s Gas Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); Schwartz Family House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Westphal Mansion Inn (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Schwartz Ballroom (approx. 0.6 miles away); Arrival of European Descendants (approx. 3 miles away); Unwritten History of Wisconsin (approx. 3 miles away); St. Lawrence Church (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hartford.

Also see . . .
1. Wisconsin Auto Museum website. (Submitted on May 20, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. Kissel Motor Car Company - Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 20, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Photographed by Paul F, September 20, 2009

2. "Kissel" Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,810 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.