Dousman in Waukesha County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Masonic Home

Photographed by Paul F, September 29, 2010

1. Masonic Home Marker

Inscription. In the fall of 1836 Elisha Edgerton and his wife Belinda came here in their wagon drawn by oxen. They cleared the land and built their farm home, with buildings recognized as a Wisconsin Premium Farm by the State Agricultural Society. Episcopal services were held in a small chapel over the carriage-house for early settlers of the surrounding area. In 1865 Edgerton sold the farm to inventor-manufacturer George Washington van Brunt who built the tall mansion in 1873 and made Premium Farm a show-place. After van Brunt’s death his children operated the farm as Springdale Resort but the popularity of resorts dependent upon springs soon waned. Ajalon Spring still provides water for the entire installation. In 1905 Willard van Brunt, nephew of George, took over the farm, made extensive improvements and presented it to the Masonic Grand Lodge as a home for old members.

Erected 1956 by Wisconsin State Historical Society. (Marker Number 52.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 43° 1.371′ N, 88° 27.952′ W. Marker is in Dousman, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County. It is on U.S. 18 ¼ mile west of Wisconsin Highway 67, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located just to the west of the Bark River bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dousman WI 53118, 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

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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: River Bend Creamery (approx. half a mile away); Dousman (approx. 0.8 miles away); Waterville (approx. 1.4 miles away); Cushing Memorial Park (approx. 3.7 miles away); Lapham Peak (approx. 3.8 miles away); a different marker also

Photographed by Paul F, September 29, 2010

2. Masonic Home Marker

named Lapham Peak (approx. 3.8 miles away); Hawks Inn (approx. 3.9 miles away); Delafield Fish Hatchery (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dousman.

Photographed by Paul F, September 29, 2010

3. Masonic Home Marker

with Bark River in the background.

Masonic Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul F, September 29, 2010

4. Masonic Home

Photographed by Paul F, September 29, 2010

5. Masonic Home

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,569 times since then and 51 times this year. Last updated on October 8, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 30, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.