Travel Back in Time to New Glarus

In 1845 emigrants from the canton of Glarus in Switzerland, left their homeland because of dire economic conditions and established a colony in southern Wisconsin and named it New Glarus. Over the following years, more Swiss from various cantons settled in New Glarus and other areas of Green County. New Glarus is known for its well maintained Swiss architecture, food, and of course, beer!

The images are from the excellent ‎New Glarus and Green County Local History collection from New Glarus Public Library and Swiss Historical Village & Museum.

This early drawing of the village of New Glarus looks from east of the village towards the west. Below the drawing is written " Neu Glarus, Nord America." ca. 1859 - ca. 1900
This early drawing of the village of New Glarus looks from east of the village towards the west. Below the drawing is written ” Neu Glarus, Nord America.” ca. 1859 – ca. 1900.
Onlookers watch a procession of automobiles and horse-drawn carriages during an Independence Day celebration in New Glarus, Wisconsin, on July 4, 1912. The photo was taken at the intersection of Second Street and Fifth Avenue, looking north on Second Street.
Onlookers watch a procession of automobiles and horse-drawn carriages during an Independence Day celebration in New Glarus, Wisconsin, on July 4, 1912. The photo was taken at the intersection of Second Street and Fifth Avenue, looking north on Second Street.
One of the first retail businesses in New Glarus, this store was built in 1866 by Fritz Tschudy. Standing in front of the store, left to right: Verena Tschudy Urban, Grandma Tschudy, Amelia Frick, and Molly Graf. This building, located in the 500 block of First Street, was later moved directly across the street, without turning the building, and became Kehrli's Cheese Store and Tavern.
One of the first retail businesses in New Glarus, this store was built in 1866 by Fritz Tschudy. Standing in front of the store, left to right: Verena Tschudy Urban, Grandma Tschudy, Amelia Frick, and Molly Graf. This building, located in the 500 block of First Street, was later moved directly across the street, without turning the building, and became Kehrli’s Cheese Store and Tavern.
Horse-drawn wagons wait outside businesses on Second Street in New Glarus, then called Ennenda Street. The photo is looking south on Second Street from Fourth Avenue. ca. 1915
Horse-drawn wagons wait outside businesses on Second Street in New Glarus, then called Ennenda Street. The photo is looking south on Second Street from Fourth Avenue. ca. 1915
Men, women, and children stand on the porches and a horse-drawn wagon and a horse-drawn buggy stand in front of the William Tell House hotel before 1910. The hotel was located on Second Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue, where Flannery's Wilhelm Tell Restaurant is now located.
Men, women, and children stand on the porches and a horse-drawn wagon and a horse-drawn buggy stand in front of the William Tell House hotel before 1910. The hotel was located on Second Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue, where Flannery’s Wilhelm Tell Restaurant is now located.
The New Glarus Hotel at the intersection of First Street and Fifth Avenue, as it appeared in the 1960s. Built in 1853 and originally called New Glarus Haus, it was the first hotel in New Glarus. The New Glarus Hotel no longer functions as a hotel but the restaurant is still in business.
The New Glarus Hotel at the intersection of First Street and Fifth Avenue, as it appeared in the 1960s. Built in 1853 and originally called New Glarus Haus, it was the first hotel in New Glarus. The New Glarus Hotel no longer functions as a hotel but the restaurant is still in business.
View of New Glarus looking southwest from Fifth Avenue near Second Street. The large brick building in the distance on the right is the New Glarus School. The white church on the left was first a Methodist church and then the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The building is now the Masonic Lodge. The house with a wraparound porch in the center of the photo now houses Deininger's Restaurant. The rectangular building on the left was the print shop of the New Glarus Post newspaper. 1907.
View of New Glarus looking southwest from Fifth Avenue near Second Street. The large brick building in the distance on the right is the New Glarus School. The white church on the left was first a Methodist church and then the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The building is now the Masonic Lodge. The house with a wraparound porch in the center of the photo now houses Deininger’s Restaurant. The rectangular building on the left was the print shop of the New Glarus Post newspaper. 1907.
Workers excavate First Street in New Glarus, Wisconsin, to install water lines, as men, women, and children watch their progress. Horses and carriages can be seen in the background. The photo is looking north on First Street from the intersection with Sixth Avenue. Directly ahead is the brick Swiss Church, which was built in 1900, and the building on the left is the New Glarus Hotel. 1902.
Workers excavate First Street in New Glarus, Wisconsin, to install water lines, as men, women, and children watch their progress. Horses and carriages can be seen in the background. The photo is looking north on First Street from the intersection with Sixth Avenue. Directly ahead is the brick Swiss Church, which was built in 1900, and the building on the left is the New Glarus Hotel. 1902.