Author: Dan Stephans

Baker Manufacturing: Making History in Evansville for 150 Years

The History in the Park program for 2024 featured a presentation by Dan Stephans on the history of Evansville’s Baker Manufacturing Company, which celebrated its 150th year in business over the past year. Stephans, formerly the Chief State Architect of Wisconsin and a long-time member of the Grove Society’s Board of Directors, brought artifacts and a slide show to complement his discussion of the Baker Company’s development and its contributions to Evansville history.

Since it was organized in 1873 by six local businesspeople, the company has produced a wide variety of products, from windmills and water pumps to steam and gasoline engines, mechanical toys, and scientific instruments. During the Second World War it produced hydrofoil boats, a machine tool for manufacturing aircraft propellers, and targeting equipment for anti-aircraft weapons. Baker was the first company to deliver electric power to Evansville homes and businesses.

The company has provided continuous employment for local workers in the century and a half since its founding. In 2024 it was the 60th largest
wholesaler in the United States. It is a leading supplier of equipment for
water wells, operates a widely-recognized quality iron foundry, and
produces gear pumps for heavy viscous fluids in the fast-food industry.
Stephans’ talk highlighted the company’s ability to adapt to economic
change and its responsiveness to the needs of the surrounding community.

Ice Age in Wisconsin: What was happening 15,000 years ago in the region that is now Evansville?

August 27, 2023, the presentation in Leonard Park (the Upper Park), provided the answer to this question.

George Christiansen III, noted Lecturer with the Department of Anthropology, Madison Area Technical College, provided a brief introduction to the Archaeology of Rock County, Wisconsin. The first people to live in the area that we call Rock County today found their way into the fertile river valleys and rolling hills almost 13,000 years ago. Since then, their story has been one of adaptation and survival in the face of changing natural and social environments. Understanding the basic history of the region leads us to realize that while there is a framework for their story, there are important pieces missing. Discovering that lost history will be a future challenge and must involve revisiting 150 years of previous archaeological research, reaching out to First Nations people and avocational citizen scientists and most important, long-term dedication by a community of stakeholders.

The Leonard Park Legacy

The Grove Society’s 2022 History in the Park event drew a lively and appreciative crowd as it turned its focus to Leonard Park—one of Evansville’s most cherished historic spaces. Attendees enjoyed a rich afternoon of storytelling and reflection on the city’s early development and the evolution of its parklands.

His talk traced the significance of Allen’s Creek and the early dams and mills that harnessed its flow, emphasizing the vital role of the mill ponds—one of which is Lake Leota.

Stephans then explored the origins of Leonard Park, describing its use before formal designation as a municipal park. In 1883, the Village purchased the land overlooking the mill pond from pioneer settlers Levi Leonard and Lansing Mygatt, establishing Evansville’s first municipal
park—Leonard Park. He went on to recount the 1923 restoration of Lake Leota and the creation of Leonard-Leota Park, made possible through a generous donation from Burr Jones, Levi Leonard’s stepson.

The presentation also covered the park’s transformation during the 1930s, when Robert Antes secured federal funding through the Federal Work Relief Programs and oversaw extensive improvements to the park’s infrastructure. While some of this material echoed themes from the 2017 History in the Park, Stephans offered fresh insights and context.
He concluded by noting that Evansville is home to four Historic Districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places—including Leonard-Leota Park itself.

His remarks celebrated the craftsmanship and dedication that went into preserving this historic feature, underscoring the community’s ongoing commitment to honoring its past.

Honoring the Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Rock
County

Moore’s talk drew from his recently completed book, The Civilian Conservation Corps in Rock County, Wisconsin, developed in collaboration with Ruth Ann Montgomery. Copies of the book were available at the event, and Moore graciously signed copies for attendees.
Before settling in Verona, Wisconsin, Moore served as an American History teacher in the Scottsdale, Arizona school district and spent many seasons as an interpretive ranger in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. His hands-on experiences with the U.S. Forest Service sparked a deep interest in the CCC, leading to his first book, The Civilian Conservation Corps in Arizona’s Rim Country.

Prior to retirement, Moore was honored as American History Teacher of the Year by the Arizona chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)—a testament to his passion and dedication to historical education.
After completing the Rock County book, Moore reached out to Ruth Ann Montgomery to make a donation in support of local preservation efforts. At her recommendation, he generously donated 39 copies of the book to the Evansville Grove Society, where each copy was sold as a fundraiser. The proceeds went directly to support the Grove Society’s mission of historical stewardship.

Stan Sperry: A Career in Baseball

Held March 24, 2019 at Emma’s Table, 104 West Main Street, Evansville, WI

This season opener for the Grove Society was, as usual, free, and included hotdogs and Crackerjacks with a little local history thrown in. The gathering was a heartfelt reminder of how Evansville’s history lives not only in its landmarks, but in its people, its pastimes, and its enduring community spirit.