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

Nickolaus Gerber

(1836-1903)

Photographed By William J. Toman, September 6, 2010

1. Nickolaus Gerber Marker

Inscription. Born in 1836 in Canton Berne, Switzerland, where he learned cheese making, Nickolaus Gerber immigrated to New York and founded that state's first Limburger cheese factory. After hearing reports of successful dairy cattle-raising in Green County, Wisconsin, Gerber moved to this area. In 1868 Nickolaus Gerber established the first Limburger cheese factory in Green County on the Albrecht Baebler farm in Section 33, Town of New Glarus. A year later, he started the first Swiss cheese factory on the Dietrich Freitag farm in Section 1, Town of Washington. Both sites are within six miles of this marker. Mr. Gerber is credited with forming the cooperative farmer-factory system and operated six such factories in the area. His success was attributed to his knowledge of cheese making combined with his expertise of cheese marketing. After 130 years, Green County's Limburger cheese factory remains the last operating in the United States. Mr. Gerber's early efforts helped bring recognition to this area as a major Swiss cheese marketing and distribution center. He is also remembered as one of the founders of Green County Cheese Days.

Erected 1999 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 435.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

• Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 42° 44.699′ N, 89° 35.943′ W. Marker is in Monticello, Wisconsin, in Green County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 69 and Lake Road (County Highway F), on the left when traveling south on State Highway 69. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Monticello WI 53570, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lake Montesian (a few steps from this marker); The Old Lead Road (approx. 3.3 miles away); New Glarus (approx. 5.2 miles away); Herbert O. Kubly (approx. 5.3 miles away); Early Belleville / Library Park (approx. 8.6 miles away); Green's Prairie Cemetery (approx. 8.8 miles away); "English Settlement" Cemetery (approx. 9.7 miles away); Union Church (approx. 9.7 miles away).

Photographed By William J. Toman, September 6, 2010

2. Nickolaus Gerber Marker

Chalet Cheese Co-op image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, September 6, 2010

3. Chalet Cheese Co-op

Sign in front of "America's Only Limburger Cheese Plant" as mentioned in the marker; the plant also features "Award Winning Brick and Baby Swiss."

Photographed By William J. Toman, September 6, 2010

4. Chalet Cheese Co-op

To locate this plant, which is on County Highway N about 5 miles south of County Highway C, your correspondent visited the Eagle Pass Saloon in Monticello, where Richard, one of the patrons, insisted that we try some Limburger cheese. Richard bought half a pound of the smelly treat from the store across the street and Renee, the bartender, obliged with some crackers (and a double baggie to take some home). Once you get past the smell, it's quite tasty. Richard also indicated that the cheese should be eaten at room temperature, recalling that Grandmother complained mightily when Grandfather would put the cheese on the window sill to let it warm up, whereupon the strong aroma quickly filled the room.

Plaque on the Side of the Nickolaus Gerber Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William J. Toman, September 6, 2010

5. Plaque on the Side of the Nickolaus Gerber Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,393 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 8, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.