FAQs about Sheboygan
Section Index
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FAQs beginning with S-Z continue here
Answer: http://www.wiadoptioninfocenter.org/
Note: The Wisconsin Adoption Information Center is a statewide authority.
Source: The Sheboygan Press, April 26, 1999, p. B7.
Answer: Sheboygan was incorporated as a city on March 19, 1853.
Source: Mayor's Office
Answer: A reference may be found regarding the bridge in The Sheboygan Press from April 23, 1926.
Source: Mead Public Library Information File
Current Lake Michigan Conditions http://www.great-lakes.net/conditions/michigan.html Great Lakes Beach & Pier Safety Task Force http://www.respectthepower.org/
Source: Mead Public Library Information File
You may see bicycle lanes & sharrow marking installed on select Sheboygan County roadways. Funding for these projects is through the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program (NMTPP). Below are some quick tips about these new markings.
Please ride safe!
BICYCLE LANES & SHARROWS
A bicycle lane is a portion of the roadway that has been designated for the preferential use of bicyclists.
Shared lane paved markings (or “sharrows”) are bicycle symbols that are placed in the roadway lane indicating that motorists should expect to see and share the lane with bicycles.
What do sharrows mean for motorists and bicyclists?
Motorists: Remember to give bicyclists three feet of space when passing Follow the rules of the road as if there were no sharrows
Bicyclists: Use the sharrow to guide where you ride within the lane Remember not to ride too close to parked cars
Greatest 24-hour snowfalls in Sheboygan
18" - January 31, 1947
16.5" - February 5-6, 2008
16" - January 9-10, 1930
15.5" - March 19, 1971
14.5" - January 22, 2005
14" - February 10-11, 1959
13.5" - March 27, 1928
13" - January 13, 1998
13" - December 23-24, 1959
12.5" - February 22, 1993
Source: The Sheboygan Press, February 7, 2008, p.1.
Question:
When did the article about Sheboygan bratwurst appear in the New York Times?
Answer:
The article, "The Meat That Made Sheboygan Famous" by R. W. Apple Jr. can be found in the New York Times edition of June 5, 2002, page F1.
1 - City Hall: "This Post-Renaissance building reflects the solidarity and the dignity befitting a public building of its day. The monumental effect of the façade is created by the use of the 'colossal order' in the entrance - the Doric columns and plasters rise through two stories to the heavy cornice above. In true Post-Renaissance fashion the ground story is heavy ashlar masonry and the upper stories are smooth brick.
The building was designed by H. W. Buemming, Milwaukee, with working drawings by W. C. Weeks Associates and constructed in 1915-16 on the previous site of the old police station and barn. The open marble staircase, the wrought iron newel-posts, the leaded glass skylight of the Council Chambers, and the old oak public benches are original."
2 - Sheboygan County Court House: "Reputed to be one of Wisconsin's outstanding examples of Art-Deco, the Sheboygan County Court House was dedicated in 1934. During this era public buildings were generally awarded through a contest, and the popular appeal of a design was the basis for the selection of an architect. John Burns, a designer for K. M. Vitzthum and Co. is credited with the design of the building. Working drawings were done by W. C. Weeks, Inc.
The massive Indiana Limestone building impresses the viewer with its simplicity, dignity, and 'modern geometric' ornamentation of the day. Interior appointments exemplify the care taken to achieve design consistency.
The entrance hall is paneled in Etowah pink Georgian marble. Aluminum, a favorite "new" building material, was used extensively in the light fixtures, railings, and even the radiator grilles throughout the building.
The building was erected on the site of the previous 1868 County Court House. All four sides of the exterior were treated uniformly, reflecting the expectation that possibly the Court House would someday utilize the entire block, as it has. An annex building was added in 1956 and further expansion and remodeling occurred in 1969.
It is interesting to consider that this architectural style, considered "extremely popular" forty-odd years ago has now been categorized as period architecture and named "Art-Deco"
Source: Heritage Walk in Old Sheboygan, (197-).
Answer: For information, please refer to the book, "Wisconsin centennial: century farms, Sheboygan County" by Rudolph Mueller.
Source: Mead Public Library Information File
Answer:
August 1911 - proposed by Common Council
March 1912 - bonding approved in special election
July 1915 - plans finally accepted
1916 - built
January 5, 1917 - first Common Council meeting held in new City Hall
Source: "100 years of Sheboygan" by Joseph Leberman.
Question:
What political unit controls the governance of Elkhart Lake?
Answer:
Part of Elkhart Lake is under the jurisdiction of the village of Elkhart and the other is under Town Rhine. Elkhart Lake is entirely within the Town of Rhine. The Barrows cottage is in the Town Rhine section, and Sheboygan Bay is ruled by the village of Elkhart.
Source:
Mead Public Library Information File
Answer: Ethel Everhard worked as an art teacher and art supervisor in the Sheboygan Public School System for 15 years before leaving Sheboygan to teach elsewhere. She returned to Sheboygan in 1950 to enjoy her retirement. When Miss Everhard passed away on September 12, 1965, she left her estate to her sister Mabel, with the provision that when her sister died the estate would be divided between certain beneficiaries, among which was the Mead Public Library. Mabel Everhard died about a month later.
The Library Board decided that the bulk of the money to be received from the Everhard estate would remain invested and the interest used for various public service programs. A portion of the money was used for certain features and equipment in the new library building (1974). These include the fireplace and lounge area in the Henrietta A. Landwehr Children's Library Center, the Kitchenette adjacent to the Meeting Room, the sound console and paging system, the fireplace and lounge area in the Adult Department, the furniture and appliances in the library staff room, and the furnishings in the Administrative Offices.
Another substantial bequest was received in January 1977, from the estate of Minnie M. Forrer. Miss Forrer was also a teacher in the local school system, serving as head of the English Department at the Sheboygan High School and later at Central High, from 1921 to 1955. Again, the Library Board decided to invest most of the principal, designating the interest to be used for equipment and for special programs.
In recognition of these bequests, the continuing series of public service programs, funded by the generosity of these two teachers, are called "Everhard-Forrer Programs."
Source: Mead Public Library Information File
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
3920 Saemann Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
920-452-7314
Linda Smith, director, 458-8178
Hours:Wednesday, 2 to 4 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Sunday by appointment. For all other appointments contact Linda Smith at the number above.
The Center will provide assistance to people of all faiths who are interested in researching their family history.
Source:
Conversation, April 22, 2004.
• Sheboygan: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Wednesday, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday, from June 1 to Oct. 30, at Fountain Park, corner of 8th Street and Erie Avenue.
• Elkhart Lake: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., every Saturday, from June 1 to Oct. 12, at the downtown Train Depot.
• Waldo: 1 to 4 p.m., every Saturday, from June 1 to Dec. 14, at Waldo Memorial Hall, 308 W. First St.
• Kiel: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., every Wednesday, from June 19 to Oct. 23, at City Park, downtown Kiel.
• Plymouth: noon to 5:30 p.m., every Thursday, from June 20 to Oct. 17, at the Generations Building parking lot, 1500 Douglas Drive.
• Town of Lima: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., every Saturday, from Aug. 3 through late October, at the Boldt Century Farm, N3526 Highway 32.
Source: May 31, 2013 The Sheboygan Press
Answer:
E-P Direct, 621 South 8th Street, Sheboygan, WI 920-457-3471
Office Max, 3424 Kohler Memorial Drive, Sheboygan, WI 920-208-7690
GT Graphics, 821 Michigan Avenue, Sheboygan, WI 920-458-3525
Piggly Wiggly, 3124 S. Business Dr., Sheboygan,920-452-0411
Piggly Wiggly, 2905 N. 15 St., Sheboygan, 920-458-9991
UPS Store, 3120 S. Business Dr., Sheboygan, 920-5934
Source: Telephone survey by MPL staff.
Badger State Tannery - January 19, 1920
Garton Toy Company - May 31, 1929
K. W. Muth - March 12, 1968
Northland Plastics - May 27, 1973
Austin Gray Iron Foundry - March 27, 1974
Sheboygan Glass Company - June 19, 1974
Grand Executive Inn - December 17, 1975
Diamond Printing - February 23, 1976
Playdium - February 22, 1977
Kneevers Hotel - February 12, 1978
American Excelsior - April 16, 1980
Thonet Industries - April 19, 1982
H. C. Prange Company - October 16, 1983
99 Hall - May 23, 1988
Jume's Restaurant - September 26, 1990
Perkins Restaurant - April 30, 2004
Landmark Square - March 19, 2007
Source: The information was gathered from various issues of The Sheboygan Press.
Listing of local food pantries
Question:
What is the meaning of the term gemütlichkeit, and how is the word spelled?
Answer:
It is a descriptive word referring to German hospitality or friendliness, especially in Sheboygan and Milwaukee.
Source: The Sheboygan Press, Centennial edition, August 10, 1953.
Answer: Contact Sheboygan County Historical Research Center, 518 Water Street, Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085, 920-467-4667, http://www.schrc.org/, Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Source: Mead Public Library Information File
Answer: North Pier: 3,829' South Pier: 2,340'
Source: United States Army Engineers District, Detroit, MI. May 1983.
(Reprinted with permission from the Oct. 31, 2005 Sheboygan Press)
Glenbeulah: Glenbeulah Graveyard
A graveyard filled with graves that date to the early 1800s. A man hung himself in this graveyard and is said to be found walking about after midnight.
You also can see a glowing grave and a pair of shoes that appear on
Kohler: The American Club
Walking through the back halls of the hotel, a witness came across a gentleman standing there in a dirty flannel shirt and torn and faded corduroy pants.They thought it was odd to see man in such attire at the American Club but shrugged it off, thinking he was a guest enjoying a cigar in the lower level. Bidding him a "good evening," but he stared blankly at the floor as though he didn't just see the witness greeting him. They passed him later, then turned to look again and he was gone. The security tape, which they saw later, showed the witness wave and talk to no one. The American Club East Wing of the hotel is haunted. It is the oldest part of the hotel. A woman hung herself in room 209 long ago and often haunts that room, often standing by the fireplace in the room across from that known as the Washington room.
Also, someone killed a woman in room 315 on the third floor long ago. A man can be seen walking down the hall coming from that direction and lights will turn on by themselves.
Kohler: Old Governor's Mansion
Witnesses have felt cold spots while walking through the old governor's mansion
Sheboygan: U.S. Bank downtown
The bank is haunted by a janitor that worked there named Duke. He worked there until the day he died. He's fond of shaking certain doors and occasionally moving things.
Sheboygan: Yacht Club
A worker there has heard stories and shrugged them off. He has had problems with lights being turned back on after turning them off. Then he started having feelings that someone was watching him. One night he finally saw a figure of a man in the basement prior to closing up.
Sheboygan: Stop sign
An Indian family used to live in a house near a stop sign. Rumors say that the husband killed his wife and children brutally. Rumors say that if you go there late at night and stop at the stop sign with high beams on, the sign will have blood dripping down it. Then you will hear the Indian guy walk toward you and sing Indian songs.
Sheboygan Falls: Eagle River
In the 1800s, a man worked on the railroad tracks. One day, he was in the back on a caboose and he fell off. He was hit by another train and decapitated; his head flew 200 feet away. To this day, he uses his old railroad light, searching for his lost head.
Elkhart Lake: Lions Park
Late at night,swings mysteriously swing and the merry-go-round spins and there is no wind. It is rumored that this is because a small kid fell off of the top of the big slide and died.
Plymouth: Yankee Hill Inn B & B
There are two old buildings that are known as the Gilbert Huson and Henry Huson houses. Three workers have reported hearing people walking around and things dropping. Workers usually refuse to work by themselves. The third floor is especially creepy and extremely cold at all times. One day three workers were waiting for laundry to get done. While the three were sitting in the basement, an old mirror that sits on the wall dropped. None of the workers were near it as it shattered into hundreds of pieces. (Sheboygan Press note: The present owner of the house said he found a broken mirror beneath a washer in the basement.)
Oostburg: Veterans Park
It is said that a drifter drowned in the creek that runs through the park. There have been reports of a man who walks the banks of the creek on certain nights, and when approached, he seems to walk into the creek and disappear. Strange noises also come from sewer pipes which are on the park's north side.
Answer:
518 Water Street
Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085
920-467-4667
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Note:
The Center doesn’t accept telephone queries. All questions must be in person or through the mail. A SASE is required. For more information see http://www.schrc.org/
Source:
Mead Public Library Information File
Crisis Line – 459-3151 (24 hrs.) Green Bay
St. Vincent De Paul –457-4844 (M-F 9-1) Food, clothing, transportation
Salvation Army – 458-3723 (M-F 8:30 – 12, 1 – 4:30)
Consumer Credit Counseling – 458-8840 Ask for Angela, bus ticket available to Green Bay or Milwaukee
Reach – 457-1111 (till 6p.m. after 6 call 211 Appleton Office)
Sheb. Co. Heath and Human Services – 459-3155
Sheb. Interfaith (SCIO) – 457-7272, Women with children, single women in an abusive situation
Some services are limited to Sheboygan Co. residents only.
If all else fails, homeless can sleep in bus shelter or police station lobby per S.P.D.
Answer:
The Wisconsin Archeologist. Vol. 19, No. 3, August 1920. (Entire issue) W 977.5 W74
"The Kletzien and Nitschke mound groups," by W. C. McKern. Bulletin of Public Museum of City of Milwaukee. Vol. 3, No. 4. W970.1 M19
Twelfth annual report of the Bureau of Ethnology, 1890-91. To the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 572 Un32r, p. 93
The Sheboygan Press Index under "Indians - County
Source: Mead Public Library Information File
Answer: Approximately 61 miles
Source: Mead Public Library Information File
- Conklin, Henry H. from: April 1853 to Aug. 1853; died July 17, 1884
- Townsend, Francis R. from: Aug. 1853 to April 1854; died April 10, 1892
- more coming soon...
Many different explanations have been made regarding the origin and meaning of the name "Sheboygan." Tradition says that an Indian chief resided at Sheboygan in the early part of the 19th century who was the father of a large number of daughters. Fortune, however, had not yet graced his household with a son. One day after returning from the hunt his wife ran forth from the wigwam to greet him and present him with a newly born babe. The stalwart chief looked at it sharply and (so the story goes) replied in a disgusted manner -"She-boy-(a)-ga(i)n!" Although this tradition is very interesting, still it has no historic basis and must be discarded as the true explanation of origin of the name.
Most authorities agree that Sheboygan is a Chippewa word, but differ as to its exact meaning. Rev. E. P. Wheeler in an article on the "Origin and Meaning of Wisconsin Place Names," declares that "Sheboygan" is derived from Zhee-bo-I-gun, that which perforates or pierces; hence Zha-bun-I-gun, a needle. Joshua Hataway, an authority of some note, says "Sheboygan or Cheboigan of the early maps is from the Indian name Shawb-wa-way-kum, half accent on first ands full accent on the third syllable. The word or sentence, most likely Chippewa, expresses a tradition that a great noise, coming under ground from the region of Lake Superior, was heard at this river. Father Chrysostom Verwyst, a Franciscan missionary among the Chippewas of Wisconsin and Minnesota, aided by Vincent Roy, a Chippewa merchant, and Antione Gaudin and M. Gurnoe, two very intelligent Chippewa scholars, agree that Sheboygan is derived from jibaigan, meaning any perforated object, as a pipe stem. Louis M. Moran, a Chippewa interpreter, asserts that the term means a hollow bone or perforated object. This is the generally accepted meaning.
Source: Sheboygan City Directory, 1920.
Another view of the same topic:
"This word has an Indian origin. There are a number of words of two principal meanings from which it may have been derived. One series is said to mean any hollow object such as a pipe stem, reed, cane stalk, or hollow bone; or that with which one perforates or pierces through, hence a needle or awl. The other meaning refers to a passage away by water, or a river disappearing underground, or a noise underground. One authority claims that Indian word meant "send through" and "drum," and referred to festive tribal occasions when the Indians carried their drums between Sheboygan Falls and Sheboygan and beat the cadence most properly suited to the event. There is also a tradition that a great noise coming underground from the region of Lake Superior was heard at this river. Other explanations offered are that on quiet days sound carried an unusual distance if originated at the mouth of the river, and one Indian chief said the name referred to the sound heard if one placed an ear to the ground near the mouth of the river. The Sheboygan River was named first, and the county and city were named after it."
Source: The Romance of Wisconsin Place Names.
Question:
When did Sheboygan North High School open?
Answer:
When first planned, North High was to be a second junior high school. But in a public referendum in the spring of 1938 the voters decided to make North a second four-year high school. The building was completed in 1938 and the first classes were enrolled in September of that year.
Source:
The Sheboygan Press, August 10, 1953.
Note:
The present North High building opened in the fall of 1961.
Answer: A brick octagon house was constructed in 1862 by Otis Hubbard at 851 Fond du Lac Avenue, Sheboygan Falls, and was condemned in the 1950's and razed.
Source: "The Octagon house and the cobblestone building in Wisconsin," by Virginia A. Palmer.
Answer:
Cole Park (1908)
Deland Park (1927-1936)
End Park (1904)
Evergreen Park (1918-1940)
Fountain Park (1836)
General King Park (1934)
Kiwanis Park (1924)
Moose Park (1930)
Northeast Park (1922)
Roosevelt Park (1930)
Sheridan Park (1836)
Shooting Park (1912)
Southwest Park (1946)
Vollrath Park (1917)
Source: Sheboygan Centennial Celebration, 1853-1953, p. 59.
Answer: Grand Opening - July 8-10, 1976
250 trees, 350 flowering bushes, and 5,000 flowers were planted
Funding: Federal grant - $5.9 million
City - $1.9 million
Cost of construction - $1.55 million
Source: Sheboygan Department of Development
Year 1840 | City of Sheboygan NA | Sheboygan County 133 |
Theodore Gunther (Eastern Stoneware Factory) c. 1862-87 stoneware
Mies Diedrich & Co. c.1887-90 stoneware
Issac Brazelton c. 1855
Source: "The pottery and porcelain collector's handbook" by Ketchum. 738 K49
Note: This list may not be complete.
"Collapse of building and closing of store." Sheboygan Press, May 6, 1983, p. 17.
(Fire) "Sight to behold by thousands." Sheboygan Press, October 17, 1983, p. 1
"City man missing: bike found at fire sight." (Barden) Sheboygan Press, October 19, 1983, p. 1
"Thousands greet new Prange store." Sheboygan Press, April 18, 1984, p. 1.
Source: The Sheboygan Press
One may contact UW-Sheboygan Student Services Department at 459-6633.
Source:
UW-Sheboygan
Question: I've heard several macabre and unbelievable stories about crimes committed in a house called Rancho de las Floras located on Greendale Road in Sheboygan. Specifically, it's been said that several murders were committed in that house. Is there any truth to these rumors?
Answer: A fantastic string of urban legends is associated with the house located at 1115 Greendale Road, none of which are true. The reference staff at the library contacted officers at the Sheboygan Police Department, who stated that no murder was ever committed at that house.
Note: To read all of the urban legends connected with Rancho De las Flores, refer to the April 2004 and June 2004 issues of The Wind, the Sheboygan North High School student newspaper, available at Mead Library.
Source: The Sheboygan Police Department, September 7, 1999.