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

Oconomowoc Masonic Center

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 17, 2011

1. Oconomowoc Masonic Center Marker

Inscription. Built by Mississippi riverboat Captain John Scudder in 1895 as a summer residence it was locally known as “Scudder’s cottage.” Every room had a fireplace. Distinguished guests were Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain), songwriter Alfred Robyn, composer Percieval Thorne, and local opera star William Wegener to name a few.

Sold to Kohl family (theater chain family) in 1920.

Acquired by Oconomowoc Lodge #42 F & AM in 1922.

The veranda on the West and South sides was removed.

The original narrow clapboard siding has been replaced.

The oval window in the triangular gable has survived.

It is the meeting place for all masonic groups in Oconomowoc.

Erected 1998 by Waukesha County Historical Society and funded by Oconomowoc Lodge #42 F & AM and the Harmony Club (Free Masons from the Oconomowoc area). (Marker Number 24-02.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 43° 6.846′ N, 88° 29.968′ W. Marker was in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, in Waukesha County. It was at the intersection

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of North Lake Road (State Highway 67) and Rockwell Street, on the right when traveling north on North Lake Road. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 307 N Lake Rd, Oconomowoc WI 53066, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Milwaukee.

It was also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 6 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: The Wizard of Oz (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic Okauchee (approx. 3 miles away); Highway Marking (approx. 4.1 miles away); Nashotah Mission (approx. 4.3 miles away); Stone Bank (approx. 5 miles away); Bishop Jackson Kemper Home Built 1849 (approx. 5.1 miles away); Cushing Memorial Park (approx. 5.6 miles away); Wm. R. Look Log Cabin (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oconomowoc.

Other markers no longer nearby. Oconomowoc (was about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Inn at Pine Terrace (was approx. half a mile away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Former Oconomowoc Masonic lodge, where Mark Twain once stayed, is going through quite the renovation. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article (2018) (Submitted on September 9, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. Marker removed.
This marker was removed by the owners of the building and given to the Oconomowoc Historical Society.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 17, 2011

2. Oconomowoc Masonic Center Marker
— Submitted July 9, 2020, by Linda Hansen of Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Oconomowoc Masonic Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 17, 2011

3. Oconomowoc Masonic Center

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,720 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 19, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.