Near Edgerton in Rock County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wisconsin's Tobacco Land
Photographed By Keith L, September 23, 2009
1. Wisconsin's Tobacco Land Marker
Wisconsin's first commercial tobacco was raised in Dane and Rock counties by cousins Orrin and Ralph Pomeroy in 1854. Grown as a cash crop to supplement dairy income, Wisconsin tobacco is used as a binder in making cigars. Because of the large amount of hand labor, the areas planted are small, usually two to five acres. In late April the seed is sown in the steam-sterilized soil of long white muslin-covered seedbeds, and transplanting to the field is done by machine in June. The plants are cut and speared on lath in August and are hung in the long unpainted sheds to cure for two to three months. "Case weather" (fog or rain) in late fall conditions the leaf so that it can be stripped from stalks and baled for market. About 100 miles to the northwest, in Vernon and surrounding counties, tobacco production began in the 1880s and is an important crop today.Erected 1961 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 109.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce
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Location. 42° 49.129′ N, 89° 4.337′ W. Marker is near Edgerton, Wisconsin, in Rock County. Marker is on Lord Street (U.S. 51) south of West Crystal Drive, on the left when traveling south. Marker is at a highway pull-off just north of the U.S. 51 bridge over the Rock River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Edgerton WI 53534, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sterling North (approx. 4.2 miles away); Sheepskin School (approx. 4.2 miles away); Albion Academy (approx. 4.2 miles away); Rock River Industry (approx. 4.8 miles away); Milton College 1844–1982 / Milton College Historic District (approx. 7.2 miles away); Milton House (approx. 7˝ miles away); Storrs Lake Milton (approx. 7˝ miles away); Village of Cooksville / Village of Waucoma (approx. 8.4 miles away).
Photographed By Keith L, September 23, 2009
2. Wisconsin's Tobacco Land Marker
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 25, 2010
3. Wisconsin's Tobacco Land Marker
Looking south on Highway 51, with the Rock River bridge partially visible in the distance.
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 25, 2010
4. Tobacco Curing Shed
This shed is just south of the marker, and shows how openings on the side of the shed allow the air through to cure the tobacco hanging in the shed. Apparently the sheds do not need to be unpainted.
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 25, 2010
5. Tobacco Curing Shed
Closeup of the tobacco hanging in the shed.
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 25, 2010
6. Edgerton, Wisconsin Tobacco Building
The faded wording on the side of this 1885 building, probably a tobacco warehouse, says "Wis. Co-op Tobacco Growers Assn."
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 25, 2010
7. Edgerton, Wisconsin Tobacco Building
The faded wording on the end of this 1885 building, probably a tobacco warehouse, says "Dealers in Leaf Tobacco." The owner's name above this wording appears to have been changed at least once, but "Pomeroy" -- the first growers as noted on the marker -- appears to have been one of the names.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,162 times since then and 167 times this year. Last updated on September 27, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 24, 2009, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 27, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
