Tag: Events

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.

We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Sound Track of the Vietnam War

“We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War” placed popular music at the heart of the American experience in Vietnam. The presentation explored how and why U.S. troops turned to music as a way of connecting to each other and the World back home and of coping with the complexities of the war they had been sent to fight. The presentation demonstrated how music was important for every group of Vietnam veterans—black and white, Latino and Native American; men and women; officers and “grunts.”

Bradley spoke at the Grove Society’s fourth annual History In The Park event on (date). The well-attended event began with lunch from BBQ Bob’s Brat Bunker. The Society welcomed a number of local Vietnam veterans, with thanks for their service and regrets for the harsh treatment that many of our retuning Vietnam veterans received after returning from the war.

Bradley’s presentation included a moving explanation of the music of the era and what it meant to the soldiers in Vietnam, as well to as their families back home.  Listening to the music was all the more special because Matt Koser’s volunteered sound system made the music reach us all.  Several people and the Grove Society picked up copies of Bradley’s book, “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War,” on which the presentation was based.  Bradley told many touching stories of interviews with Vietnam veterans that he collected with Professor Werner.

(original notes by Sue Berg)

What Makes Leonard-Leota Park Special

On August 27, 2017, the Grove Society’s annual History in the Park
celebration featured a wonderful program about the history of Leonard-Leota Park in Evansville. Former Wisconsin State Architect Dan Stephans was one of two featured speakers.  The other was Tim Heggland, an expert consultant on historic preservation. 

Stephans discussed the mystery surrounding the naming of Lake Leota,
about which no verified information has emerged to date. Levi Leonard, an Evansville pioneer, sold some of his land to the city in 1883 to create what is known as the “upper park.” A prominent citizen, Leonard was the first teacher in the community, although he described himself as a “capitalist” in the 1900 U.S. Federal Census.  In 1922, the city acquired the “lower park,” which expanded the park to include the lake area.  WPA projects during the 1930s added features that contribute to the park’s special appeal today and led to the park’s inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in January 2011.

Tim Heggland, the second speaker at the Sunday program, wrote the
successful nomination to place the park on the National Register.  In his
presentation he described features of Leonard-Leota Park that specifically contributed to its inclusion on the National Register. The Historic District includes 29 contributing buildings, site, structures, and objects and 11 noncontributing buildings and structures.  Of particular importance was the extensive stonework built by WPA workers during the 1930s. Stonework required hand labor, which brought employment for many local citizens. WPA workers installed stone for rip-rapping the creek bed. They built the stone picnic tables and benches that dot the park today. Other WPA features that survive include the warming house by the lake, the park store, the duck house, the beehive fireplace, and the bell tower. The unique twin spillways and the pedestrian bridge are notable features that were added later.

Attendees enjoying the facts, trivia and historic photographs of the presentation included some 35 adults, members of Girl Scout troop 3699 and numerous children.  The Girl Scouts sponsored craft activities, including constructing lighthouses and airplanes from popsicle sticks, and playing with marbles, Lincoln Logs.   Also on hand was a World War I soldier’s field kit, on loan from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum to commemorate the 100th anniversary of U.S. entry into the war.

The Grove Society’s museum in the historic Baker Building and the Antes
Cabin were open extra hours during the “History in the Park” event. Special exhibits focused on the early supporters and structures in the park.  Other activities included a walking tour of the Grove Street Historic District, led by John Decker, former president of the Evansville Grove Society and current director of the Wisconsin Council for Local History. Visitors submitted stories and memories about their experiences in the park.

2016 – America Loves to Travel

The history of Evansville’s parks, as well as the city’s ties to Highway 14’s recognition as the National Park Highway to Yellowstone Park and other Western destination points, were the major topics of discussion at Leonard-Lake Leota Park. 

Grove Society president Jennifer Ehle stated that: “The Grove Society was very pleased with the results of its first ‘America Loves to Travel’ event at Leonard-Lake Leota Park. The weather was perfect without a single raindrop, which had been predicted earlier in the week.” It is estimated that approximately 100 people visited the Museum, Antes Cabin, and Barn Shelter during the one-day event. 

Dan Stephans, storyteller and architect specializing in historic preservation, captivated the audience with his knowledge about the development of the roads. A quick summary follows: People started buying cars in the early 1900s and wanted to travel. Tourist camps, like the one at Lake Leota, became popular shortly thereafter and were built along the highways. Car clubs, including the AAA, were formed, which developed road maps and worked to improve the roads. Private citizens and social organizations supported Leonard-Lake Leota Park for the next 95 years.

The following people from Evansville and the surrounding area brought their antique cars to the August 28^th event, which were displayed near the Horse Barn. Carl Pyper of Evansville arrived first with his 1932 bright red Ford Truck. Other Evansville owners were Dorothy Helgeson with her 1930 Ford Model A Roadster and Alan Titus of Evansville with his 1938 Ford Fordor. Car show organizer Lee Stock of Belleville brought his 1921 Ford Model A and 1928 Ford Model A Tudor. Gary Splitter of Brooklyn attended with his 1931 Model A Ford Truck. Stoughton was represented by Jeff and Brenda Zarth with his newly-purchased 1951 Ford Tudor and Howard Hanson with his 1928 Ford Roadster. Jeff and Sue Bergey  enjoyed a Sunday afternoon drive From Oregon to Evansville in their 1930 Ford Model A Roadster. And, Chris Beebe traveled the road from Cooksville to Evansville in his 1939 MG TB. 

Troop 514 and Friends of the Eager Free Public Library sold food and refreshments at the Park Store and Horse Barn. The Museum and Antes Cabin featured photographs, printed news articles, and artifacts from the 1920s to early 1950s about Evansville’s tourist camp. The exhibit also contains information about the federally funded projects, which built the buildings, structures and the viaduct in Leonard-Lake Leota Park, 

The exhibits will remain on display at the Museum and Antes Cabin through the month of September, every Saturday 1:00 pm – 3:00 p.m. and by appointment with Jennifer Ehle 608-302-1722. In October, the Museum will begin reduced hours.

The Grove Society would like to thank the Evansville Ford and Symdon Chevrolet for their financial support. Also, members of the planning committee who attended meetings for the past year to organize the event: Dan Stephans for his presentation, Lee Stock for organizing the car show, Troop 514 and Friends of the EFPL for refreshments, and representatives of the committee to complete restoration work of the Antes Cabin. Ray Anderson of the Evansville Parks was very responsive to our requests. Creekside Place provided a microphone and speakers, Larson Acres supplied chairs and a table, and Steve Ehle photographed the event and provided editorial assistance. 

Finally, a special thank-you to the car owners who displayed their cars and the many volunteers who served as docents and helpers at the Museum, Antes Cabin and Barn Shelter. 

There is potential for a second America Loves to Travel event next year, and potentially several others, but additional volunteers are needed for this to happen. The vintage vehicle car show could continue with the addition of other aspects of Leonard-Lake Leota Park. Please contact Jennifer Ehle, jenniferehle1@gmail.com, phone 608-302-1722, if you, or your organization, would like to help plan an event in 2017. We are analyzing the event and thinking of new ideas.

History in the Park – 2016 Sesquicentennial Celebration