by Jacqueline Steel, UW-Madison iSchool
In fall 2024, I worked collaboratively with the Eagle River Historical Society and the Nicolet Federated Library System staff to digitize and describe a collection of materials that document historical resorts and supper clubs primarily in northern Wisconsin. Working with ERHS director Vito Bortolotti and NFLS director Tracy Vreeke, I digitized photos, pamphlets and matchbooks from some of the most memorable and iconic tourist destinations in the Eagle River area. My work also included researching these historic destinations to adequately describe them in the digitized collection. The entire collection will be available in Recollection Wisconsin in early 2025. Below are a few of my favorite discoveries.
Eagle River has a long history as a tourist destination. Many small businesses have opened and closed throughout the city’s history, but some have persisted and continue to operate today. Below you will find four such businesses (two from outside the Eagle River area). These historical materials are housed in the Eagle River Historical Society archives. Additional images from other businesses can be found in the Craig Moore Research Library collection. Please enjoy these items that document tourism, restaurants and resorts, and Wisconsin community history.
White Spruce Inn
Matchbook from the White Spruce Inn in Eagle River, Wisconsin
The building that housed the White Spruce Inn is about 140 years old, and was originally built as a family home by merchant George Dickinson. The White Spruce Inn became known as a proper supper club around the 1950s. Currently, the supper club operates in the original building under the name Eddie B’s White Spruce Restaurant and Tavern.
Hiawatha Lodge and Supper Club
Matchbook from Hiawatha Lodge in Eagle River, Wisconsin
Hiawatha was originally a resort with a restaurant that went on to become the historical Hiawatha Supper Club. While they no longer operate a supper club, Hiawatha Lodge is still open today as a vacation destination.
Di Salvo’s
Matchbook from Di Salvo’s Spaghetti House and Cocktail Bar in Madison, Wisconsin
In 1941, the father-son duo Benedetto Di Salvo and Joseph A. Di Salvo founded Di Salvo’s Spaghetti House and Cocktail Bar in Madison, Wisconsin. Di Salvo’s was the first restaurant to bring french-fried shrimp to the Madison area, which is why it is mentioned on the inside of their matchboxes. The restaurant closed when Joseph was diagnosed with a debilitating illness. Joseph’s son, Ben, worked with his father and mother in the restaurant from the time he was a young boy. In mid 2003, Ben began selling three pasta sauces based off of his family’s recipes. The business has grown in the last decade and Di Salvo’s Sauces continues to be sold in grocery stores across Wisconsin and Illinois today.
Theo’s Inn
Matchbook from Theo’s Inn in Columbus, Wisconsin
The history of the building and land that housed Theo’s Inn is fascinating. It started as a co-op cheese factory in 1917, and living quarters were located above the factory proper. Theo Voth opened a tavern with the cheese factory in 1934 and called it “Theo’s.” This eventually became Theo’s Inn, which operated as a very well known supper club. Shortly after, Ed Thomas bought the shares of the stockholders of the cheese company. Ed and his wife ran the tavern then called “Club 60” and continued serving food. The business and land changed hands many times over the next 80-ish years and operated under a couple of names. In 2011, the property was purchased by Harold and Lori Schwoerer. They renamed the business “Club 60” and continue to operate with the goal of keeping Club 60 a traditional Wisconsin Supper Club.
Jacqueline Steel participated in our Recollection Wisconsin Digitization Initiative inaugural cohort in Fall 2024. For more information about this program or how to participate, visit https://recollectionwisconsin.org/rwdi. Our thanks to Tracy Vreeke and the Nicolet Federated Library System staff for hosting Jacqueline and this project work in their library office.
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