Marquette in Madison in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Frank J. Hess and Sons Cooperage / Frank J. Hess, Cooper
1904 - 1966 / 1870 - 1958
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 12, 2010
1. Frank J. Hess and Sons Cooperage Marker
Side A
The Frank J. Hess and Sons Cooperage became Wisconsin's largest independent family-owned cooperage, manufacturing quarter-sawn white oak beer, wine, and whiskey barrels. The two factory buildings located near the railroad tracks were behind the family home, which stood at 1952 Atwood Avenue. At its peak, the Hess Cooperage could manufacture 40 barrels a day. When it closed in 1966, it was the last factory in America that manufactured white oak beer kegs.
Side B
Frank J. Hess, born in southern Bohemia, entered an apprenticeship at the Pilsen Brewery at age 14 to become a cooper (barrel maker). In 1889 Frank immigrated to America. First employed as a cooper in Chicago, he later set up his own shop in Prairie du Chien manufacturing white oak beer kegs for local breweries. In 1904 Henry Fauerbach persuaded Frank to start an independent cooperage business in Madison to supply beer kegs for Fauerbach, Hausmann, Breckheimer and other breweries.
Erected 2008 by Dane County Historical Society. (Marker Number 44.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin, Dane County Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1952.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hoffman - Kennedy Dairy Horse Barn (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Burr Jones Field (approx. ¼ mile away); Yahara River Parkway (approx. 0.3 miles away); Steensland Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); East Side High School (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Steensland Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Yahara River Parkway (approx. half a mile away); Anton F. and Mary Kubicek Duplex (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madison.
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 12, 2010
2. Frank J. Hess, Cooper Marker
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 12, 2010
3. Frank J. Hess and Sons Cooperage Marker
Closeup of photo on marker: "Hess Cooperage buildings in 1962"
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 12, 2010
4. Frank J. Hess, Cooper Marker
Closeup of photo on marker: "Frank Hess and Anna Stluka, married in 1894 in Prairie du Chien, had one daughter and six sons. All seven children worked in the cooperage. Sons Joe, Tony, Frank Jr. and Edward are shown working with their father in this 1954 photo."
Photographed By William J. Toman, June 12, 2010
5. Frank J. Hess and Sons Cooperage / Frank J. Hess, Cooper Marker
Area where Hess home and cooperage were located, which is now a parking lot.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,005 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 12, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
