Travel Back in Time to Reedsburg

Let’s give some love to Reedsburg, WI in Sauk County. Many of today’s images come from the Reedsburg Public Library‘s digital collection of a local intensive survey done in 1983 and 1984. Each building pictured, and hundreds more, have multiple pages of building information if you follow the link to the original image. See if you can find out more about your favorite store, coffee shop, or house! Thanks too to UW Digital Collections for their contributions!

272 Main Street. This Romanesque structure was built in 1888 to house the operations of the Reedsburg Free Press. Edward M. Hackett was the architect and Reedsburg Building and Lumber was probably the builder. Norman V. Chandler was the founder of the Reedsburg Free Press. In 1878, John Powers and John Blake bought the newspaper. George Seamans bought the paper in 1899. The building is a pivotal structure in the Main Street Commercial Historic District and is architecturally significant. At the time of the survey, Gambles' Hardware was located here.
272 Main St. This Romanesque structure was built in 1888 to house the operations of the Reedsburg Free Press. Edward M. Hackett was the architect and Reedsburg Building and Lumber was probably the builder. Norman V. Chandler was the founder of the Reedsburg Free Press. In 1878, John Powers and John Blake bought the newspaper. George Seamans bought the paper in 1899. The building is a pivotal structure in the Main Street Commercial Historic District and is architecturally significant. At the time of the survey, Gambles’ Hardware was located here.
201 & 209 South Walnut St & 234 Vine St, Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin, 1983-84 This commercial vernacular structure housed Kroger Grocery ca. 1929-1948. At the time of the survey, CARQUEST Auto Parts; Eisenberg Appliance Store and The Gun Shop occupied the building. 234 Vine Street is also located here. This building was demolished ca. 2019 and replaced with housing.
201 & 209 South Walnut St & 234 Vine St, Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin, 1983-84. This commercial vernacular structure housed Kroger Grocery ca. 1929-1948. At the time of the survey, CARQUEST Auto Parts; Eisenberg Appliance Store and The Gun Shop occupied the building. 234 Vine Street is also located here. This building was demolished ca. 2019 and replaced with housing.
148 and 150 Main St.1983-84. This commercial vernacular structure was built prior to 1885. Mrs. Christina LaSallette had a millinery and notions shop here. She owned the property since at least 1889. She was born in France in 1836 and married Peter LaSallette, a livery owner. The store is a double one, with the east side smaller. A number of businesses have been located here including those selling dry goods, boots and shoes and groceries. As of early 2024, Main Street Books and Susie's Petpourri occupy these locations.
148 and 150 Main St. Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin, 1983-84. This commercial vernacular structure was built prior to 1885. Mrs. Christina LaSallette had a millinery, and notions shop here. She owned the property since at least 1889. She was born in France in 1836 and married Peter LaSallette, a livery owner. The store is a double one, with the east side smaller. A number of businesses have been located here including those selling dry goods, boots and shoes and groceries. [As of early 2024, Main Street Books and Susie’s Petpourri occupy these locations.]
216 Main St, Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin, 1983-84. This commercial vernacular structure was built in 1890 for the Vorlop Brothers of Mauston for their men's clothing and tailor shop. The brothers bought the lot from Ed Timlin. The building has housed various businesses and at the time of the survey was the site of a tavern. [As of early 2024, the buildings pictured are occupied by Villari's Self Defense, World Finance, and Blades and Fades Barber Shop.]
216 Main St, Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin, 1983-84. This commercial vernacular structure was built in 1890 for the Vorlop Brothers of Mauston for their men’s clothing and tailor shop. The brothers bought the lot from Ed Timlin. The building has housed various businesses and at the time of the survey was the site of a tavern. [As of early 2024, the buildings pictured are occupied by Villari’s Self Defense, World Finance, and Blades and Fades Barber Shop.]
275 Main St, Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin, 1983-84. This commercial vernacular structure was built by Reedsburg Building and Lumber in 1885 for Joseph L. Green. He leased it to Gale, Siefert and Company Hardware for five years. August Siefert was in the hardware business in Reedsburg for several years with various partners. The building has housed a number of businesses over the years and is a part of the Main Street Commercial Historic District. At the time of the survey. Kathy's music occupied the building. As of early 2024, this building is occupied by U.S. Cellular and Hometown Fashions.
275 Main St, Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin, 1983-84. This commercial vernacular structure was built by Reedsburg Building and Lumber in 1885 for Joseph L. Green. He leased it to Gale, Siefert and Company Hardware for five years. August Siefert was in the hardware business in Reedsburg for several years with various partners. The building has housed a number of businesses over the years and is a part of the Main Street Commercial Historic District. At the time of the survey. Kathy’s music occupied the building. [As of early 2024, this building is occupied by U.S. Cellular and Hometown Fashions.]
Main Street Bridge, Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin, 1983-1984. This bridge was built by Fifield Construction in 1925 over the Baraboo River. At the time of the survey, a new bridge was scheduled to replace it in 1985.
Main Street Bridge, Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin, 1983-1984. This bridge was built by Fifield Construction in 1925 over the Baraboo River. At the time of the survey, a new bridge was scheduled to replace it in 1985.
118 North Walnut St, Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin, 1983-1984. This commercial building was built prior to 1925. It was owned by Mrs. J. Dunning, who ran a dressmaking business here. It later housed Reedsburg Gas and Electric. [as of early 2024, this building is no longer standing.]
118 North Walnut St, Reedsburg, Sauk County, Wisconsin, 1983-1984. This commercial building was built prior to 1925. It was owned by Mrs. J. Dunning, who ran a dressmaking business here. It later housed Reedsburg Gas and Electric. [as of early 2024, this building is no longer standing.]
Thiemann's Drug Store parade float, undated. A parade float for Thiemann's Drug Store with a large mortar and pestle sits on a residential street. Caption reads: "This effective float was used by the Thiemann Drug Store of Reedsburg, Wis., in a July 4th parade."
Thiemann’s Drug Store parade float, undated. A parade float for Thiemann’s Drug Store with a large mortar and pestle sits on a residential street. Caption reads: “This effective float was used by the Thiemann Drug Store of Reedsburg, Wis., in a July 4th parade.”
The Sauk County Farm. Reedsburg, Wisconsin, undated.
The Sauk County Farm. Reedsburg, Wisconsin, undated.