Travel Back in Time to Kiel

Kiel, Wisconsin, is located near the banks of the Sheboygan River and was once the “Wooden Shoes Capital of Wisconsin,” which, though impressive, was mostly because Kiel was home to the only wooden shoe manufacturer in the state. Enjoy images of Kiel, all courtesy of the excellent Heritage Collection at Kiel Public Library.

Four workmen stand inside of Baivier Wooden Shoe Factory. They are surrounded by tools and machinery used in the wooden shoe manufacturing process as well as stacks of wooden shoes in various states of completion. 1925.
This photo features buildings along the business district of Kiel. A horse and cart are also featured. ca. 1900-ca. 1910.
A woman wearing a long skirt and hat stands in the middle of Fremont Street, which is not yet paved. Behind her is the Third Street intersection. In the distance, the old feed mill is visible. Two men stand near a parked car at the right side of the photograph and a woman passes behind them. Trees line the north side of the street. 1910.
Two men walk down Fremont Street between 6th and 7th. A carriage is parked outside of a business, its white horse tied to a post, ca. 1915.
The following stores are pictured from left to right: Hollensteiner General Store, 632 Fremont Street, Gutenkunst Drug Store, 630 Fremont Street, Meyer and Sprecher General Store, 628 Fremont, C.T. Shroeder Store, O.H. Hofmeister Barber Shop, and bath house, 626 Fremont Street, State Bank, 618 Fremont Street, and Amman Wagon Shop. 1908.
Men are playing stick ball in the street. The buildings in the background are the Commercial Hotel, Hollensteiner General Store, Kabel Drug Store, Hoop’s Jewelry Store, Menke Harness Shop, Voland Wooden Shoe Factory, Ammann Wagon Shop, Weiskopf Home, Schubert Studio and Grand Central Hotel. Fremont Street remained unpaved until 1908. Image is dated 1896.
This evening shot, featuring lit-up store fronts was taken from the corner of 7th and Fremont Streets. Bob and Elaine’s Bar is visible on the left. The supermarket, as well as the steeple of Saints Peter and Paul Church is seen in the background. ca 1970.
This is an aerial view of the city’s center in 1910. In the foreground is the Kiel Garage at 500 Fremont Street. In the background is Kiel Woodenware. This area is now the site of City Park and the Kiel Middle School.