4 minute read
History
Darlington takes its name from Joshua Darling
Joshua Darling, a banker from Warsaw, New York and his agents, James M. Keep and J. B. Lynde purchased land from pioneer Jamison Hamilton for the purpose of developing a village to accomodate the fl ood of mining and farming settlers coming into the area in the 1850’s. Darlington derives its slogan, “Pearl of the Pecatonica” from its history of pearling on the Pecatonica River in the late 1800s. Thousands of Joshua Darling Darling dollars of pearls were taken from the waters of the Pecatonica River. So many clams were also taken from the river that a button factory was established in 1901 to utilize the discarded clam shells. Darlington proudly claims its place among them with its own Parson Brothers Circus. In the early 1800s the six Parson brothers operated their circus around Wisconsin and the neighboring states. Probably the most notable thing that happened was that Al Ringling joined the brothers for the tenting season of 1881. When the Parson’s show folded several of the brothers joined the newly formed Ringling Brothers Circus and traveled with them for a number of years.
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Lafayette Genealogy Society
The purpose of the society is to assist others in their pursuits to learn more of their heritage; to inform, instruct and educate through programs, meetings and sharing of recourse material, along with promoting the fellowship of persons interested in genealogy. The society is grateful they now have a facility to house and share information and resources that the Matls and others have contributed, not to mention the society’s years of publishing, indexing and charting cemeteries and so much more. The society looks forward to being a productive and contributing asset to the community.
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Visit Darlington in 2022
Depot Museum
The fi rst depot in Darlington was a combined railroad depot and warehouse and now stands as a monument to those who built and operated the railroad. The Darlington Depot Museum is fi lled with railroad artifacts; agricultural items; Florence Bennett oil paintings of LaFayette County Depots; old railroad maps; and more. The Museum is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Call 608.776.8340 for hours. Both museums are free but donations are appreciated.
Historic Main Street
Take a walk down Darlington’s Historic Main Street which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the buildings contributing to that designation, The Driver Opera House, is in the beginning stages of a project that will restore its original beauty and provide the community and visitors with a performance arts and cultural center.
Lafayette County Courthouse
The central landmark in Darlington is the Lafayette County Courthouse, which holds the distinction as the only Courthouse still in use in the United States that was funded by the estate of one man, Mat Murphy of Benton. The monumental limestone structure features a central rotunda with an elaborate dome. Look around a bit and you can fi nd evidence of Johnny Depp’s visit to the Courthouse when it was featured in the 2009 movie “Public Enemies”.
Lafayette County Historical Museum
The Lafayette County Historical Museum is located in the Carnegie Building across from the Courthouse. It features archives for genealogy research as well as displays that depict the lives of early Lafayette County residents. You will fi nd items from the Civil War as well as memorabilia from early businesses, farms, homes, schools and paintings from local artists. The museum is open 1:00-4:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Veteran’s Memorial
Thanks to the generosity of so many people and organizations, the Darlington Area Veteran’s Memorial was offi cially unveiled in 2012. You may visit this spectacular monument at the intersection of Main Street and Cornelia Street. The monument was designed by Darlington Community Schools Art Teacher Greg Bykowski.
Open Monday thru Friday 1-4 p.m. 525 Main Street, Darlington, WI lafayettehistorical@centurylink.net (608) 776-8340
Historical Exhibits 14 Original Kammerude Paintings Civil War • Medical • Agricultural • Parson Bros. Circus & More!
Depot Museum/Tourist Information Center Open June, July & August • Thurs, Fri & Sat 1-4 p.m. South Washington St., Darlington, WI Visit www.darlingtonwi.org
Sponsored by Darlington Community Fund
FOR SALE Historical Books KammerudE Prints
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