Barton Historic District
Has been placed on the
National Register
Of Historic Places
By the United States
Department of the Interior
1992
Erected by Barton Historical Society 1998 — — Map (db m128916) HM
In 1902, 18 year old Bernhard "Ben" C. Ziegler sold fire insurance and mortgages to area farmers and merchants. He rode his bicycle (later used a horse and buggy) to expand the business. By 1907, the business had grown to encompass virtually all of . . . — — Map (db m143955) HM
This Square, known as The Park, was given to Washington County in 1853 as a site for county buildings for the use and benefit of the county forever. Donors were William Wightman, Byron Kilbourn, James Kneeland, E.B. Wolcott, and their wives. This . . . — — Map (db m35205) HM
The Eisenbahn State Trail occupies a former Chicago and North Western Railroad corridor that was originally called the "Air Line" because of its direct route passenger service between Chicago and Green Bay. The Trail name pays tribute to this . . . — — Map (db m143577) HM
The winding ridge of sand and gravel 900 feet to the south-east is the westerly end of an esker. It was formed over 10,000 years ago by a glacial stream leaving deposits as it flowed in a tunnel beneath the ice. (For a better view drive one half . . . — — Map (db m38677) HM
The first strictly rural electric power line in the United States was built in 1919 by West Bend Heating and Lighting Company, which was founded in 1907 by Adam Kuehlthau. It was 24 miles long and served 57 farmers in the townships of West Bend, . . . — — Map (db m77250) HM
You are now on the great divide which separates the two principal drainage areas of Wisconsin. Water falling to the west of this ridge runs down the Rock River into the “Father of Waters” and after 1,400 miles reaches the Gulf of Mexico. . . . — — Map (db m30685) HM
James Kneeland, one of the founders of West Bend, purchased this plot of land in the early 1840s. This 2 ½ story side gabled cream city brick building was erected in 1858 and is one of the oldest buildings in West Bend.
In 1860, the . . . — — Map (db m70013) HM
This park, named for its most outstanding mound, contains thirty-one fine examples of effigy mounds. Effigy mounds are low earthworks usually built in the shapes of birds or animals. Though used for burial purposes, a mound seldom contains more than . . . — — Map (db m114906) HM
Lizard Mound Park is one of the best preserved and most diverse prehistoric effigy mound archeological sites in the state. It contains numerous mounds (A.D. 650-1300) in conical, linear, bird, panther, and lizard shapes. Originally known as the . . . — — Map (db m30121) HM
Built in 1847 by Densmore W. Maxon, a Yankee surveyor and member of the first Wisconsin State Legislature, who constructed a dam and sawmill and platted Cedar Creek. The east wing housed the first village post office. The Greek Revival style house . . . — — Map (db m77006) HM
In West Bend’s early days, this plot was a community gathering place. For over 90 years, the Triangle and the building which stood there were at the center of business, social and political life, and served as a meeting place for the old settlers. . . . — — Map (db m35208) HM
Stephen F. Mayer (1854-1935) was a prominent resident of West Bend, held numerous elected offices and leadership positions at various levels of government and local businesses, and established several businesses and organizations that still exist . . . — — Map (db m70015) HM
Wisconsin's aluminum cookware industry boomed in the 20th century. Production grew exponentially from under 5 percent of the nation’s aluminum cookware in 1910 to over 50 percent in 1920. Local financier Bernhard C. Ziegler (1884-1946), anticipating . . . — — Map (db m150125) HM
The United States Government Land Grant transfer from Byron Kilbourn, et al to Caroline P. Brown took place March 10, 1847.
This front gable home was typical of many houses built between 1850 and 1925. This property is part of the original plat . . . — — Map (db m143959) HM
The United State Government Land Grant transfer to William W. Verbeck took place January 1, 1848.
In the early 1850s a barn and home were constructed.
The residence is a square, two-story brick structure, featuring arched brick frames over . . . — — Map (db m59567) HM
This block was deeded to Washington County on May 2, 1853, by the Wightman, Kilbourn, Kneeland, and Wolcott families to locate and erect county buildings. The original courthouse, constructed in 1854, was relocated to Main Street when the 1889 . . . — — Map (db m35206) HM
This building was one of the first brick buildings erected in West Bend. It replaced an original structure built in 1852 and destroyed by fire on January 1, 1864 and it was re-opened on October 15, 1864 as a headquarters for travelers along the . . . — — Map (db m35209) HM
In the spring of 1845, land surveyor Barton Salisbury came upon a river rapids along the Milwaukee River that he thought would make a good source of power.
He built a log cabin which would eventually become the site of the area's first public . . . — — Map (db m216278) HM
