Historical Elkhorn Looking back while moving forward
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2021
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HISTORICAL ELKHORN 2021
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Historical society purchases city hall It will house a resource center, exhibition space and more, reps say
By Kellen Olshefski CORRESPONDENT
The Elkhorn Common Council voted unanimously in favor of selling Elkhorn City Hall to the Walworth County Historical Society at its May 3 meeting. The $1 sale of the city hall building, at 9 S. Broad St. in Elkhorn, to the WCHS has a Sept. 1 closing date, with city administration set to move into the new city hall this summer. A subcommittee of the Walworth County Historical Society Board of Directors – including WCHS President Jim Boardman, Lisa Brellenthin and Pat Blackmer – said they had been working with Walworth County Administrator Mark Luberda in trying to build a 2,500foot expansion onto the Doris M. Reinke Resource Center. However, a little known state law that would prevent them from donating the addition back to Walworth County ultimately brought that project to a halt. Blackmer said they learned soon after Elkhorn City Hall would be available for purchase. With little to no interest from other parties, Blackmer said the society determined that building could be a good fit for the historical society. Entered into the National Registry in 2012, she said construction of the art deco building began in 1931. “If we acquired it, it would be our largest artifact,” Blackmer said. “It’s basically a fortress, and while it does need some restoration and renovation, it will be a perfect fit for the historical society.” After learning the city hall building would allow the society to nearly quadruple the floor space it would have gained with its earlier proposed expansion project, Blackmer said they reached out to Elkhorn City Administrator James
The Elkhorn Common Council in May voted unanimously in favor of selling the Elkhorn City Hall building, at 9 S. Broad St., to the Walworth County Historical Society for $1. The new space will nearly quadruple the floor space compared to what the WCHS currently has available. The move, which will happen in several phases, is set to begin in the fall following the Sept. 1 closing date. KELLEN OLSHEFSKI Historical Elkhorn
Heilman. “He was very proactive in assisting us in securing the building. He did a lot of background work for us,” she said. Blackmer said throughout the process, the historical society has been working with Danielle Benden of Driftless Pathways in Lodi. Dan Richardson of the WCHS, said
Benden is a museum specialist, focusing on designing museums and museum spaces, helping local historical societies with those types of projects and helping with things like exhibitions, equipment and how to handle curation and collection the proper way. Blackmer said the historical society is elated and thrilled with the approval of the purchase. “There couldn’t actually be a better venue for us. We’re right downtown, high visibility and we’ll certainly bring a lot of traffic to the downtown area,” she said. “And a lot of space,” Richardson added. Boardman agreed. “We’re going to have a lot more room, we’re going to restore it and it’s going to be a vital part of the downtown,” he said. Plans for city hall Boardman said with City of Elkhorn
administration moving to the outskirts of town, residents have been concerned about what was going to happen with the current building. “At least now they know that we are not only going to move our stuff up here, we’re going to restore the inside of that building,” he said, noting the historical society aims to have everything completed within five years. “I think the people of Elkhorn are going to enjoy it and are appreciative that we’re moving in to restore this building and take it over,” Boardman said. “I think it’s going to be an asset to the community, and we’re really pumped up about it.” Richardson said a big part of the city agreeing to sell the building to the historical society for $1 was that the society would agree to take care of, and
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2021 Historical Elkhorn A LOOK BACK AT THE AREA’S HISTORY Published by Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC 1102 Ann St., Delavan, WI 53115 • (262) 728-3411 Editor: ................................................................................... Tracy Ouellette Creative/Production Manager: ..................................................Heidi Schulz Section Designer:.............................................................. Jennifer DeGroot Advertising Director: ......................................................... Vicki Vanderwerff Doris Reinke stands outside of the Walworth County Historical Society building that bears her name — the Doris M. Reinke Resource Center – in 2013. The late educator worked to preserve history while also keeping it relevant. FILE PHOTO Historical Elkhorn
For advertising opportunities, call (262) 763-3330. On the cover: Elkhorn House was a popular hotel in downtown Elkhorn. This postcard was mailed in September 1908. Photo credit: The historical photos in this publication are courtesy of the Walworth County Historical Society and community members.
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HISTORICAL ELKHORN 2021
HISTORICAL SOCIETY invest in, the landmark building. He said the historical society has had contractors look at the building, examining various items including HVAC and plumbing systems, the roof and more. “We’ve kind of prioritized what needs to be done first, second and third,” Richardson said. The first of those priorities, he said, is to replace the building’s roof, a project the city has agreed to let the society begin this summer while it’s still in the process of moving to its new administration building. “The roof will be our first major endeavor,” Blackmer said. From there, Richardson said, the historical society will look at other items that need to be addressed, such as cleaning up the exterior to keep it looking nice and other aesthetic items. “As one thing gets done, we’ll move to the next and proceed from there,” he said. Blackmer said one of the things that made this project possible – and will help to make repairs a possibility – is a bequest from the late Doris Reinke. “Doris was a very active individual, and in her own right, you could claim her as one of the historians of Walworth County,” she said. Move in schedule Blackmer and Richardson said the society is hoping to officially begin moving in following the projected Sept. 1 closing date and the city’s move to it’s new building. She said the historical society has somewhat of a multi-year phased development plan for the building. According to Blackmer, the WCHS’s
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plan is to first move the Doris M. Reinke Resource Center over to the city hall building, with the resource center set to occupy offices on the ground floor. She explained that the first phase would include moving the Paul and Katherine Schmidt Library over also, which is set to occupy the conference room on the second floor. Richardson said the hope is to have those areas open to the public again in late winter or early spring of 2022. Blackmer said the following phase would include moving the Veterans Museum and the Frank Eames Elkhorn Independent print shop over to the city hall building. She said the historical society plans to use the offices currently used by Elkhorn’s Department of Public Works and Zoning as exhibition space as well as the current council chambers. Blackmer said the historical society also plans to renovate the auditorium for future uses as well. “It’s just a gem,” she said. “That area would be available for meetings, programming and more. It’s so fantastic… we have a million ideas.” Boardman – a lifelong resident of Elkhorn who noted the auditorium used to host high school plays, graduation and other events – said the plan is to restore the auditorium to its original 1931 state. “It’ll be available for tours, if you want to take a tour of the building, and we’ll use it for different events,” he said. Boardman also noted the new building will allow the historical society to put up displays in the windows on Walworth and South Broad streets, which people can enjoy while walking by. He hopes that
will also attract more public interest to the historical society. Blackmer said other WCHS buildings, such as the Webster House and Carriage Barn, will remain where they are, and buildings like Heritage Hall will remain open as long as items aren’t in the process
of being moved to the city hall building. To follow the progression with the move to the new building, as well as other Walworth County Historical Society happenings, visit walcohistory. org or follow the organization’s page on Facebook.
Help wanted at the WCHS By Kellen Olshefski CORRESPONDENT
Pat Blackmer said the Walworth County Historical Society is greatly appreciative of the support of Walworth County, which she said the society has been working closely with for 117 years, dating back to 1904. According to Dan Richardson, the WCHS has also been affiliated with the Wisconsin Historical Society for a long time, and their mission continues to be to collect, preserve and share the history of Walworth County. “With the help of the County Board of Supervisors from 1904 until now, and donors and volunteers, we’ve been able to do that. And now we’ll have more room, more space and we’ll hopefully have a state of the art resource center on the street level floor of city hall when we’re done,” he said. Blackmer also noted that the historical society is working with the Spacesaver Corporation out of Fort Atkinson to increase its storage space, enough so that it should last for many years to come. “So, we’re encouraging people that wish to donate things from the county to do so after we make our move,” she said. Richardson said they always encourage people not to throw items away but bring them to the WCHS. “We’re especially interested in anything that has to do with families and history of the county, the county fair, geography, politics, religion … almost anything aspect of behavior you can think of historically, those are the things we take great interest in,” he said. Alongside artifact donations, Blackmer said the society is looking to increase its membership and volunteer base, while also seeking corporate monetary donations and sponsorships. “We’ve launched a capital campaign fund, so we are also open to financial donations,” Blackmer said, noting they’ve received about $15,000 from families and would like to have corporate sponsorship as well. “So, that’s one of the directions we’ll be taking, contacting corporations and
businesses within the county for support of the historical society,” she said. And with the Walworth County Historical Society being run entirely by volunteers and having no paid staff, Blackmer and Richardson said they’re always looking for extra hands. “We need to serve the people that come in, and they’re all eager to research either their homes, or their families, or the plat books that we have going back to 1857,” Blackmer said, referring to volunteer work at the Doris M. Reinke Resource Center. “Currently we’re looking for volunteers to help with the move. We’re looking for volunteers – once we get to the resource center – to help us put everything in place,” she added. Richardson said it’s also safe to say they’re seeking people who are willing to help current volunteer staff. “With cataloging artifacts as they come in, assessing materials into the collection, helping us with emails and answering phone calls, doing actual research with original resources, of what we have an abundance… anybody who has an interest would find a treasure trove of information,” he said. Richardson also noted they’re looking for people to do things such as data entry, transcribing handwritten manuscripts, photographing artifacts, doing interviews with citizens, creating videos and more. “That list goes on and on, but if somebody wants to volunteer, we’ll find something that they’d have an interest in working on that will help us in a big way,” he said. “And if they’re skeptical about their abilities, we’ll be more than happy to teach them,” Blackmer added. For more information about donating, sponsoring or volunteering, contact the historical society via email at walcohistory@tds.net or by calling the Doris M. Reinke Resource Center at 262723-7848. Membership forms are also available on the organization’s website at walcohistory. org, where children can join a free history club.
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WALWORTH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY • Historical Elkhorn
Creamery
The Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic was established in 1920. Pictured is clinic’s original location on Page Street. It is of Dr. Coulson and his daughter Mabel (Coulson) Comstock.
Depot
Customers select purchases at the E.C. Hubbard Grocery Store in Elkhorn. This photo was taken in 1914.
Hollis Ward, owner of Ward’s Tavern in Eklhorn, speaks with a friend while his son Daniel (a future bar owner and local TLW league president) listens intently.
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Memories
HISTORICAL ELKHORN 2021
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WALWORTH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY • Historical Elkhorn
The old county jail as it appeared in the early 1900s. SUBMITTED PHOTO Historical Elkhorn
Downtown 1930s Downtown was a hive of commerce Elkhorn in the 1930s.
The Lauderdale Lakes area near Sterlingworth Hotel. The Elkhorn milk condensery in the late 1800s to early 1900s.
Walworth Street looking east about 1910; the old Opera House burned in the late 1920s.
The Walworth County Fair has been in Elkhorn since 1849. This photo shows visitors entering the fairgrounds in September 1916.
HISTORICAL ELKHORN 2021
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Here to serve
Right: Elkhorn Motors has been serving the community since 1937. The building that houses the car dealership started out as a livery barn, which later became a shoe factor before Elkhorn Motors, Inc., opened a Ford dealership at the location. The building has been remodeled multiple times over the years. Above: Pictured here is the first time the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department bought squads for the department from the dealership. The dealership is at 910 N. Wisconsin St. in Elkhorn. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday; and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit www.elkhornmotors.net. SUBMITTED PHOTOS Historical Elkhorn
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A brief history of the City of Elkhorn By Tracy Ouellette EDITOR
It was Col. Samuel F. Phoenix who named the Elkhorn Prairie in the early 1800s after found a pair of elk antlers and hung them on a tree to mark a point in his trail between Spring Prairie and Delavan. The area had been crossed by the army and surveyed a year before Phoenix traveled through. The area, the center of four central townships, was staked by Horace Coleman, LeGrand Rockwell and Hollis Latham. Being located on a natural watershed, they thought it establishing a village there would be ideal. Rockwell’s brother, John Starr Rockwell, who was a government clerk in Milwaukee with knowledge of available land claims, helped LeGrand Rockwell and several friends form a syndicate of the purpose of land speculation. This was the first step in populating the area. In 1837, LeGrand Rockwell, Daniel E. and Milo E. Bradely put up a tent in the Elkhorn Prairie about a mile east of the center stake and immediately began filing claims. They also started clearing the land for future development. The first permanent structure, a log Wisconsin Street looking south in Elkhorn in the late 1800s.
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Lyle’s stays on top of changing TV tech, options
By Heather Ruenz STAFF WRITER
A longtime area company takes pride in its ability to stay on top of changing technology to offer a full gamut of residential solutions related to television – from viewing, networking and streaming options to equipment and installation services. Tom Schinke, the second generation owner of Lyle’s TV and Appliance in Elkhorn, said he and his staff can help customers with whatever they need, beginning with determining the best route to go for the options they want related to watching TV. “There are many options so it really comes down to what people want,” he said. The most basic option is to get an antenna, allowing major networks to be viewed over the air for free. Schinke said antennas seem to be increasing in popularity again as the costs for satellite and cable services continue to climb. “This is a great area to use antennas because we can generally pickup network stations from Milwaukee, Madison, Rockford and Chicago. The signals are very good here,” he said. From entertainment to convenience, Schinke said, technology should enhance our lifestyle and the environments we live in, not make it more challenging. Lyle’s provides a range of personalized solutions to ensure people have an experience that matches their expectations. “With the network channels we’re able to pickup, that’s enough for some people while others want to watch movies and so on, so they add streaming services,” he said. Streaming services require an internet connection so either Wi-Fi or Ethernet (cable) internet access must be available in the home, apartment or office. Then it’s a matter of choosing which streaming service or services to use with Netflix and Hulu being two of the more common options. “You can get access to pretty much anything you want – movies, shows, whatever,” Schinke said. “Some charge monthly fees for access to their offerings, some are pay-per-view and on some you can build your own package and pay a monthly fee for what you chose.” He said nearly all the TVs are now “Smart TVs,” which basically means they have many of the applications preinstalled. “That makes connecting and networking a lot easier on everyone,” Schinke said. Home networking What’s commonly referred to as the “home network,” everything in some homes is connected – from smart phones and tablets to streaming services and smart home devices such as Amazon’s Alexa. “With so much traffic, it’s important to have a network that is designed around the connected products throughout your home,” Schinke said. Lyle’s can help with the latest options from indoor/outdoor audio and video to home theater installations. Schinke said custom integration of home theater can enrich peoples’ lives in ways that make home living a joy. Going to the movie theater used to be the only way to experience a movie the way the studio intended it, but today’s
Tom Schinke, the second generation owner of Lyle’s TV and Appliance in Elkhorn, said he has a crew dedicated to TV antenna work and a variety of audio/video options including streaming and room-to-room networking. HEATHER RUENZ Historical Elkhorn
home theater systems have evolved to allow an even better experience from the comfort of our homes, he said. So is it challenging to keep up with ever-changing technology in the TV, video and streaming world? “I’ve been doing this since I was, like, 13 years old so have just stayed up with the changes as they happen,” Schinke said.
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Among the long list of equipment available through Lyle’s related to entertainment are TVs, antennas, projectors, project screens, media players and TV and monitor mounts. About Lyle’s Tom’s dad, Lyle Schinke started the business out of his home selling and
repairing TVs. He also offered antenna service. He is described by family as a motivated man who was self taught (he had to drop out of high school to support the family farm when his father died). The business grew so Lyle purchased a home (with an attached storefront) that is on the site where Lyle’s TV & Appliance stands today. It was started in 1956 and Lyle raised his six children in the home. As the children became adults and moved out, Lyle tore down more of the house and increased the size of the building for the business, but the business always remained open, according to the website. Tom Schinke – the youngest of Lyle’s six – and his wife, Sue, are secondgeneration owners but said their children and grandchildren help out so it’s actually a fourth generation business now. Most of the family has worked in the business over the years. Lyle’s strives to be “the appliance store with so much more,” per the slogan and is the largest and last independent dealer in Walworth County. The team at Lyle’s provides sales and service to residential homes, builders and rental units of all sizes. They can outfit any size home and offer simple installations to custom projects. Of the many ways Tom has helped grow the business was to expand the electronics division. As a result of that along with the business staying on top of the latest technology, Lyle’s can now “provide the product needed to turn your home into the smartest home on the block,” the website states. Lyle’s TV & Appliance is at 17 S. Washington St. in Elkhorn For more information call 262-7233477, visit lylestv.com or email info@ lylestv.com.
Lyle Schinke started Lyles’ TV and Appliance out of his home selling and repairing TVs. The business grew and Lyle purchased a home (with an attached storefront) that is on the site where Lyle’s TV and Appliance stands today. HEATHER RUENZ Historical Elkhorn
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HISTORICAL ELKHORN 2021
CITY OF ELKHORN
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shanty, was erected about two weeks later and the men moved in. After setting up the log shanty, Rockwell traveled to Indiana to purchase cows and other livestock to set up a dairy farm. Albert Ogdne and Hollis Latham also came to the prairie at that time and set up separate claims. Rockwell returned from Indiana after a brutal winter, where provisions ran low for the early settlers, but the land clearing continued with the first real house was ready for occupancy in May of 1837. Rockwell brought with him 25 cows, three yoke of oxen and a horse. Soon after the Bradley family moved from New York into the newly constructed home. Elkhorn now had a population of 14 – five men, three women and six children. Ogden and Latham were the first settlers to cultivate the land in the town limits; they planted turnips and corn. The town didn’t build up as fast as other areas in the county. Many settlers chose East Troy or Delavan at the time because they had direct transportation lines, where Elkhorn did not. The original three men who settled the area disbanded their company and the dairy farm they created was gone almost before it began. The first sheriff in Elkhorn was Gen. Sheldon Walling. He came to the town in 1838 and built a log house on the acreage he purchases, living there with his sons, who were in the retail business. He became sheriff in 1839. Also in 1838, Edward Elderkins came to the area to practice law. His wife joined him later in the year. That was the extent of the new settlers to Elkhorn. Rockwell built two buildings in 1839, a house for a hired hand and an office on the east side of the park, which would later become the courthouse. There were only two more settlers in the area in 1839, and Elkhorn’s population was at 23. The territory, which is now Elkhorn, was originally comprised of five towns in the northwest quarter of Walworth County, organized by the territorial legislature in January 1838. They are now known as Elkhorn, LaGrange, Richmond, Sugar Creek and Whitewater. In 1839, the county commissioners chose a quarter section in the Sugar Creek area for the county buildings and with that move, the county seat was established. It would be several years before the area’s population would increase much more. There were nine buildings, two of which were stores, and a population of 53 in 1842. That was also the year the village was platted and streets laid out. Lots were reserved for a park, jail and school as well. County Supervisor Edward Norris laid out the streets, blocks and lots and Rockwell was named the county agent for the sale of the lots. There were five parallel streets, running north and south. Beginning with East Street on the section line, the other streets were Washington, Wisconsin, Broad and Church.
The east-west streets were Park (called South then), Walworth, Court, Jefferson and North. This move seemed to jumpstart the population growth and by 1849, the town had grown to 539 residents and 80 buildings. However, the village lost many residents to the Gold Rush of 1849. The rebuilding of the population wasn’t strong until the railroad came to the area. After 1854, the village increased in size and stature and by 1857 the population had reached 1,500 with 220 buildings. But, once again, village expansion lessened after the financial crash of 1857 and before it could rebuild, by the Civil War a few years later. Government formed in Elkhorn and the first town meeting was on April 7, 1846. Levi Lee was the moderator with Alonzo Platt as secretary. Three supervisors handled government business until the first election in 1892. Harley C. Norris was elected the first village president and there were six trustees. Elkhorn became a city in 1894 with three wards and was separated from Sugar Creek township. The city bought land from the Congregational Society in February 1884 to build a city hall. The automobile made its way into the city and by 1911 Elkhorn had business streets that were oiled. The population was now more than 1,700 residents. As the city grew, a sewer system was added in 1912 and electricity came to the area in 1916. The Methodists were the first to establish a church in Elkhorn in 1841, followed by the Congregationalists in 1843, the Baptists in 1852, the Catholics in 1848, the Evangelical Lutherans in 1870 and the Universalists in 1874. By January of 1918, Elkhorn had home mail delivery and a new State Bank. The Holton Plant was established and produced 25 saxophones weekly. The Independent also installed a new linotype machine for printing the newspaper. In 1919, the Wisconsin Butter and Cheese Co. expanded by buying the Troy Creamery. Concrete roads opened from Elkhorn to Lake Geneva and from Bethel to Elkhorn in 1921. The first veterinarian in the city was Robert Carmoth, who opened his office in 1921. Over the next several years, Elkhorn built up with new subdivisions opening and more residents moving in. By 1928, the city had a new post office, Boy Scout Troop and American Legion Post. There was also a move to establish a chamber of commerce at this point. By 1929, the city had talking pictures at the Sprague Theater, a credit union, new water tower and lumber company. The city had a semi-professional basketball team and shuffleboard court at the Community Hall. The construction of the Matheson Memorial Library was underway by 1930, as was the Highway Building, Christian Science Church and Municipal Building, which would be dedicated the following year along with the library. A fire broke out and destroyed the old Methodist
Church and Legion Hall in 1931. When the Great Depression hit, and banks were closing across the country, Elkhorn’s financial institutions stayed open, however withdraws far outnumbered deposits. The economy did grow, but slowly. World War II took many workers from the county and Elkhorn and like the rest of the county it was the women and refugees who filled the empty positions to keep the factories running. And like the rest of the country, the end of the war brought a building boom to the area, as housing was in short supply. This spurred a post-war growth, which included adding a bus service and airport. The baby boom and increased housing also led to the growth of the schools, which was common in many municipalities across the nation. Other amenities that came to the city after the war included television, street widening, citywide garbage pick up and more factories. The 1950s were marked with expansion and improvements from the utilities to the school system to the civic clubs. The booming economy helped establish and armory by the fairgrounds and a new special school. The school system reorganized in 1956 and a common school district was formed with a sevenmember Board of Education. A referendum in the following year was approved and a new elementary school was built. Tibbets and Bowers schools were built a few years later. The Walworth County Historical Society bought Joseph Webster’s house in 1957 and turned it into a museum, which is still in operation today. St. Patrick’s parochial school was opened in the spring of 1959 and a $5 million bond was issued for a new courthouse, which began construction the following year. The city celebrated its 125th birthday in 1962 with window displays, street dance, and dedication of the new courthouse. This was also the year the band shell was moved to Sunset Park. In 1964, the new high school referendum passed and the city set about building a school to house 800 students. The remaining 1960s brought a municipal swimming pool, new supermarkets and restaurants and a super highway at the east end of the city when Route 12 was opened to Genoa City. In the years since, Elkhorn has seen its population grow to more than 10,000 and industry thrive along with small business. The city has remained the county seat since its establishment and serves the more than 100,000 residents of Walworth County. Information for this history was taken from the “History of Elkhorn, Wisconsin – Bicentennial Project 1976,” which was written by the Elkhorn History Club and published by the Elkhorn Independent in 1977; and History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, written by Albert C. Beckwith, published 1912.
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Hoofprints on hearts HISTORICAL ELKHORN 2021
Above: Shanon and Michael Nelson (from left), owners of Claystone Stock Farms, stand on their property with extended family who help run the farm including Cody Bomar, Hailey Bergin, Kaylie Webb and Michelle Webb as well as one of their Clydesdale horses, Camelot, and their dogs, Nikkie and Diesel. At right: Cody Bomar, who works at Claystone Stock Farms, runs with Camelot, at the farm, which is outside of Elkhorn. HEATHER RUENZ Historical Elkhorn
Claystone Stock Farms changing lives of horses and people By Heather Ruenz STAFF WRITER
ne only has to turn down the driveway at Claystone Stock Farms in rural Elkhorn to recognize it’s a horse place. But after spending any amount of time with the owners – and those they refer to as extended family – it becomes apparent that they also have a passion for people. Michael Nelson had a couple of Clydesdales when he met his wife, Shanon, several years ago. She had several of her own horses – through her Infrangible Rescues business. The initial focus was showing and breeding Clydesdales. But, according to Shanon, over the years it has grown into a place that now features many of the things she and Michael love, including lessons, rides and farm tours.
“My program is focused on people with struggles and disabilities,” she said. “And every single horse has their own story, too. And their amazing contribution to the program we offer.” Shanon said the horses are changing the lives of many people – including children with autism and other challenges. But they also have several adult clients who may be struggling while others simply want to follow a dream. “We work with kids 3 years old and older but also adults. My oldest client is a woman in her 90s who wanted to learn how to drive a Clydesdale cart and wagon,” she said. Shanon said both the horses and people who make their way to Claystone are meant to be there. “A lot of times we’re known as the ‘Land of Misfit Toys,’ not only the animals we take in but also the people. Everybody – horses and people – comes into our journey • CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
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HISTORICAL ELKHORN 2021
HORSES
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for purpose,” she said. Michael’s passion revolves around Clydesdales, which they also rescue at Claystone. Shanon said Clydesdales are a different breed if they’ve been teamed up with another horse. One example is a horse they took in named King. “We got King because he was blind in one eye. He struggled – and four months after we got him was still hella skinny – but we paired him with Turbo and eventually he was much better,” she explained. When they took in King, his brother and teammate, Caesar, had gone elsewhere, including to an equine therapy organization. “But Caesar didn’t pass the program because he was constantly looking for his guide, which was King,” Shanon said. A few years after rescuing King, the Nelsons were able to rescue Caesar. And the reunion between the two was quite a sight, according to Shanon. “When we brought Caesar here, it was the most incredible thing we’ve ever seen. They were so excited to see each other! We put them in the outdoor pen together and they were running around and jumping up and down. It was one of the most amazing moments I’ve ever been a part of,” she said.
History leads the way
Claystone Farms was founded in 1972 by Carl and Betty Nelson. It was a dairy farm until the late ’70s when it was changed to a beef cattle farm. One of Carl’s passions was Clydesdale horses and though he never owned any, he traveled all over the country to see them, according to the website. Michael took over the farm after Carl, and then later, Betty, died. After revamping the farm in 2005 by demolishing old buildings and building a new horse barn, Claystone became home to Maplewood Arabians. Shanon and Michael met in 2014 and four years later, after the cattle operation was shut down, the name was officially changed to Claystone Stock Farms. The buildings were then remodeled to house the Clydesdale hitch and breeding operations. Two years ago, Claystone began offering lessons and farm tours.
Looking ahead
Plans for this spring and summer include an equine parade of colors and an educational Clydesdale exhibit, “featuring in part our very own baby Clydesdales and our very handsome black Clydesdale stallion,” Shanon said. In addition to breeding and showing horses and offering lessons, Claystone also has cart, carriage and sleigh rides, boarding services and hosts parties and
events. Shanon said one of the newest purchases at Claystone is a five-person carriage. She said the carriage and sleigh rides have been a big hit with guests. “The sleigh rides in the winter, wow, did people enjoy that. We planned to do it one weekend in December and kept getting requests so ended up offering them all four weekends. It was crazy,” she said. “We also have a cart with the convertible black top that people really like, along with a big wagon,” she added. In addition to all of the on-site offerings at the farm, the crew also does off-site trail rides in the Kettle Moraine Forest. “We hope to be able to have groups of up to 18 people soon. We do some group rides here but the Kettle Moraine trails are a really big hit,” Shanon said. All proceeds from the services offered at Claystone go directly toward the care, maintenance, feed and housing in providing a home for Infrangible Rescues.
Dreaming of a team
When Michael and Shanon first met, she said he told her his father always wanted Clydesdales so that led to Michael later buying Diamond, Ruby and Peanut as foals. “But he then became smitten with the true bred black Clydesdale horse and now has a dream of one day raising his very own, all black Clydesdale six- or eight-horse hitch,” she said. Their first Clydesdale baby was born a bay, which is a deep mahogany brown, so this year they decided to buy Homestead Jada – also known as Josie – from a small town, black Clydesdale breeder in Nebraska. “Josie and our very own Camelot will produce our very own, pure black Clydesdale hitch. One foal at a time; we may not live long enough to see it happen but chasin’ dreams is what Claystone is all about,” Shanon said. She said the Claystone crew does what they do because the horses – and people they help by way of lessons, rides and more – deserve it. “We’re in this for entirely different reasons than some people. We build these horses from the ground up or from wherever they are when we get them,” she said. “I promise every horse we take in that they’ll be safe and will always have enough food, and will never have to be scared or be hurt. “These horses have changed so many lives. It’s been an amazing labor of love in so many ways.” For more, call 262-348-7068, follow Claystone Stock Farms on Facebook or visit claystonestockfarmsinc. com.
Shanon Nelson spends time with Sparrow, officially known as Captain Jack Sparrow. According to her husband, Michael, Sparrow got a promotion because he doesn’t have a right eye so he refers to him as The Admiral. HEATHER RUENZ Historical Elkhorn
What’s in a name?
The horses at Claystone Stock Farms have a variety of names and some of them have special nicknames, according to Shanon Nelson. Below are just a few: • Salvezzo Rio (The River of Salvation) is known as Sal Rio or Sal. He is the “white” equine greeting card horse and for special occasions, turns into a magical unicorn; • Sir William Edward is generally called Willie, as in Willie Nelson. He is the first home-grown baby Clydesdale for the Nelsons; • Claystones Calumet is also known as CC and is somewhat of an “oops,” Shanon said, being a half Arab baby from her horse, Tessa Lee; • Captain Jack Sparrow is known as OneEyed Jack or Sparrow. He is missing his right eye leading to Michael determining he’s been promoted and he refers to him as The Admiral.
Right: Michael Nelson works with Clydesdale horse, Willie, at Claystone Stock Farms. Left: When Willie was younger, he was a special guest at Tractor Supply in Delavan where he and Michael “read” a book about thinking like a horse. DAVE DRESDOW Historical Elkhorn
HISTORICAL ELKHORN 2021
Page 15
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Lions Club dinner will be drive-thru
The Elkhorn Lions Club will host its annual Roast Beef & Chicke n Dinner from 11:30 a.m. Jan. 31. Theto 5 p.m., Sunday, be held at dinner will still Sperino’s, 720 Wisconsin St., Elkhorn N. will be a drive-th , but ru event only this year. The meal three slices will include: of roast beef, breaded chicken mashed potatoe breast patty, s, gravy, coleslaw, vegetab le and a roll. Tickets are or $15 at the $11 in advance or check onlydrive-thru (cash the day dinner), if tickets are of the available. still All include the meals will food, so all same amount of are Check out the same price. basket raffles the Lions Club’s on Facebo beginning ok Jan. drawing Feb. 31 with 12. Fliers and entries for the available at raffles will be the drive-thru for cash or change willcheck but exact be All proceed required. fund commu s are used to Lions Club nity giving and represe said they appreci ntatives ate the community’s support. “We can’t you at our wait to see socially-distan community event,” they t Tickets are said. Elkhorn Lions available from First Nationa Club members, Schoenbeck),l Bank (Marlene Sperino’s/ Pepperoni Pub, Bank of ElkhornAssociated , Town Bank Delavan and Chamber of the Elkhorn Area Commerce There is office. to purchas also an option e tickets online at eventbrite.com . Once on the site, in the at the top of search bar the page enter “2021-beef-ch icken” and select the approp then riate event. There is an $1.31 that online ticket fee of will be applied .
Winter wonderland
Jack Frost has put a frozen display alongon Paradise the Springs Nature Trail in Eagle this winter. a few times The trail, which is part of the Moraine State ForestKettle Southern – Unit, an old spring features and-release and a catchflat, asphal trout pond. The t-cove red mile trail accommodat1/2people with es disabilities. Paradise Springs is 5 feet deep about and mainta a temperature ins of about degrees 47 Fahrenheit round. More yeargallons of than 30,000 the spring water flow from that’s 500 each hour – gallons a Paradise minute. Springs sits bowl-shaped in depressiona where the reaches thewater table surface. HEIDI SCHULZ
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CARE: The Walworth County chambers of commerce, county visitor’along with the s bureau and Walworth County Economic Development are in the finalAssociation stages of “Take Care Challenge the Body, & Heart.” – Mind, families, busines Individuals, organizations ses and to participate. are encouraged you to love “We challenge community yourself, love your neighbors byand love your engaging in month of activitie a s designe to help us all refresh and d reset our collecti health,” organiz ve mental ers said. Watch for details in week’s issue. a story in next
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Center of WisconVersiti/ Blood By Kellen sin will host a community Olshefski CORRES from 1 to 5 blood drive PONDEN p.m. Friday, believable In discuss T 29, at Mathes Jan. bid and these done a fantast the City Halling a change order Library, 101 on Memorial ic job out guys have mium With on the wainscoting project that will for there.” St., Elkhorn N. Wisconsin add betwee the cost of the project through is already bid that the premiu . Donors will building n the city receive a Versiti rather thanout the entire and and water, split years of covering the first m wainscoting through areas, Elkhor gaiter and electric utilities just public two interes sewer from coupon for a , Heilma the project t on borrowing protect the buildin out to help Jim Heilma n City Administrator the city’s split order (whilea Noodles online g’s walls knicks, kicks is a little moren said “The residen . supplies last.) 50%. from well under n noted the project and more. For more informa than thing ts “It does give on the buildindidn’t pay anyAccording about $900,0budget – to the tune is tion, contact Chad Robins it a more of 00. statutes requireto Heilman, state all covered. Next g this year; it’s sional look, but that’s profeson at 262-72 Heilman 2678 or crobins 3son,” year, there’ll not small money saved that any budget the project said when the city be a is thathe said. “The reasonthe realib.wi.us. Appoinon@elkhorn. ed terest, principal payment go toward for wainsc it was with an alternabid retirement accoun covere tments the are recomm d,” he said. … no in- term.” it protects the wallsto me oting to help te savings t, meanin debt “The luck long walls. When protect g that will be be made by ended and can of Heilman visiting bit.ly/ ceived, they those bids were the on the project used to pay the debt area, you kind ofhitting the right elkhornjan2021 $43,180 he said the price until recame knew good it’s back it was area to used Howev ly less than of included in texting 630-76 or calling/ what was significant- savings er, Heilman noted,up. um was high bid in, but the premi-a to the Elkhor his memo so city official anticipated, n Comm ins are welcom8-3164. Walkwill end up these and then we s opted to along to taxpay being passed a low bid. I e. got such is based on the current on Council the alterna include couldn te. ers in a sense, unit happier … ’t have been however, there the saved “The bid WINTER it’s the with is materia price, money being won’t have l that less; we got price was significantly lessen the tax to be used to since I’ve been here best project the Elkhorn AreaFUN: The load on citizen in a numbe wainscoting, put in because of ways,” Heilma several said. “That’sa great bid,” Heilma r of tion Commerce Chamber of meaning its n added. n paying years, rather than s over shouldn’t will host the As for addicame in. We how good the inaugural Winter bid higher it all at once and simply explain the wainscoting, Heilma “I think it exceed $40,000. from a mile didn’t see this coming ed that Snolf event seeing a is tax hike from noon away … it ternate only the original bid n longevity of the a good add for the to Heilman alsonext year. was an unalat 1 p.m.) Feb.4 p.m. (tee off building,” included A in public pointed out the city receive areas rather wainscoting tion motion to approve he said. Country Club. 6 at Evergreen that tire d such a high of the than buildin the It’s addithe wainsc a way to en- not g. He said combine snow pre- longev oting at a to exceed and golfing price ity, it makes in aiming for with nine modifie sense to add by Heilman wasthe $43,180 listed one club (golfer’ d holes, approved mously by unanithe counci one sled (cart) s choice), l. tennis balls. and “all the” be food and There will also is $100 for prizes. The cost a four-person (includes snolf team buffet.) Lunch and lunch only is $10 person. For a visit elkhornmore information, (under the chamber.com events tab) send an email or elkhornchambeto kate@ r.com.
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a win over FOR IT: In last week, St. Catherine’s Grace Larsen beats an opponent ball. Catch to the up on the EAHS sports latest inside.
loca e ing PLT Thro Pantries ral locaArea …ther Little Homes. ders in theat Elkhorn Free is work rship ed seve l Free partne sixth-gra ure class tructed then tiona dy determin ries. neede pant strong Elkhorn alrea Architect School cons h were District lies providing iding tions for thos en ONDENT School mutrict tion to Middle Pantries, whicorn, prov local fami betwe orn Area W Com it place In addi items to also made ef-ool Dis Little around Elkh another hyThe Elkh ived a PLT for efforts and E: fami ict rd rece Area SchElkhorn panplaced ity members s, masks, e in ed food , the distrcontact with TY SALTreasurer via recently bration AwaCOVID-19 Free PERCou nty in need stay in PROwort communte food item e to thos pandemic lh and the nity that it nity Celeduring the service and ntly forts to ughout the munity Resi a l Wal to donaitems and mor Etzel rece countytook onsuch as mea Com ator Sent thro con, commu Valerie d a sale of g giene post from ries wereted by lies e calls from Coordin a Card demic .” ries. unce bein pant . ect blog Eryc phon Pant – anno property onsin need ator of six rials dona placed serves Outreach Little ording to a ds for Proj ed nt to coordin A total ience mate owned d by Wisc tion until is mea a three Acc h stan EASD work PLTW ted with es, with other three Holmes. phone call and provide help conducteOnline Auc 8. the W, whic struc to , the t ness the PLT Way emic “Tha on families l busi and ort to in food ng com Surplus Friday, Jan. in in a loca in Elkhorn surroundi ps are Lead Theut the pand enough prols of supp ently check 10 a.m.se interested t the provided ng with placed in be curr Holmes throughofamilies had emic by h to ity groutogether variety of leve ice g Tho mun may abou duri serv e ID,” bein lies that mor in . Com working ensure ut the pandt and lunc the food in the family e due to COV s rema “This n with our fami learning which is orn Area munities throughofree breakfas throughout ols t Projshould . antin ,” Elkh ndent Ja- also currently the boxe ectio property,of Darien, ion abou.org. .com g quar . viding and adults While schoing, conn difficult time re that Superinte said more informat pltw is a stron Village onsinsurplus ains to ensu children community. erson learn by this ol District . For ked. donaWay, visit see, there orn Area visit wiscsite also contto bid. greater ed to in-p d workingtions SchoTadlock said generous to the stoc“As you can een Elkh Elkhorn ect Lead The clos the The web ion on how may inue betw ls to the son ip were orn idua ers cont to six loca the “Thanksmany indiv District Ed- partnershDistrict and es,” Elkh informatific questions worth bus driv meals pick up of Spec the Wal ce, Schoolwe were able School ity that it serv could tions ted to Offi delivering Area ughn, families be direc Treasurer’s EASD Elkhorn Foundatio need thro s of commun where in post, the each ion County a.m. to 5 p.m. 4251 adults food. ording to the 0 meals ust, ucat thousand provide munity from 8 s at 262-741-il to 2,90 and Aug Acc n to the com about ch weekday ing an ema h.wi.us out served between Marram again whe or by send@co.walwort week the prog treasurermore general worth resuming t Wal For started. , visit ion abou school informatproperty sales County rth.wi.us. co.walwo : The is L SEASON al Fair at BRIDA 21, Area Brid Lakes Sunday, Feb. Club. set for n Country a.m. to Evergree t, slated 11will allow The even that day, married 1:30 p.m. ning to get s for those planns and ideaneed. connectio they may hand will anythingng those on bakeries, sts, Amo r, al wea rers, flori be cate phers, form DJs, photogra limousines, cies. l agen in jewelers, and trave models salons will have tasting, The fairgowns, wine sweets bridal appetizers, also be of ures sample s. There will s. The the feat prize and cake among t nce or ty of door enden es are rn Indep a varie is $5 in adva and slid LES Elkho CAST entry fee door. Tunnels ction. ts, visit OF ICE TESY attra At left: $8 at the hase tickeand COUR tains. tles winter To purc f.com on Cas g foun ngol tab d usin - the Ice evergree “Events” green LED t by han go to theepage. EverN6246 is buil ns include and ction es ctio the hom Club is at orn. slid attra els, tles The attra Country 12/67, Elkh call ired Ice Casof icicles. carved tunn ion, be requ Each Highwaye informat , ice2 will 5722. right: thousands nes than 723At r mor thro For olde ring. s of n at 262lies back frozen guests or face cove hundred this Evergree ome fami k lptures, wing staff and Resort said to welc r a mas lit scu e: at d : The follo to wea are thrilled eva National ar insid les built Standifir ts DEAlTHS “We es appe at Gen gues Ice Cast Geneva. CEO Kyle Castles of our rity, and loca notic ADAMS, 90 , 86 for saw thentown Lake to Ice Ice Castles safety l year LEY planned top prio in • SHIR CONDON inauguraBeach in dow opening is weather winter,” s release. “The NOR been our we have , 29 on 5 • ELEA ing Riviera Monday, the in a new has always guidelines create a safe ndent – Page as Ice NEWMAN this As of ary but is depe ches of freez • PAUL known and staff features and designed to yone.” stret date derland to the area for mid-Janu s with long to accommo photothe new season are ent for ever currently n en won are The frozslated to retur rsday condition res neededattraction. TheMarch, place thisical environm older) winter g Thu is and on. be Castleswinter seas award-winnin g hundreds temperatuion of the will last into and magets (ages 12 day through ay. Tickets s will Tick 99 Mon ugh Sund kdays and year ’s Castles is an on site usin ed by constructIce Castles Dates and hour m. thro at $18. built -plac Ice worthy permitting. icecastles.coreduced listed 99 Friday are $12.99 wee that is es hand g to the four of icicl ts, accordin attraction weather d online atoperate on a social and $22. ren (4-11) s in sands ction in . of thou nal ice artissors the attra castles announce for childweekends. has attractionUtah. les will promote Ice Cast season to to the companyl spaces professio that spon America. The ptures, $18.99 Castles also pshire and this g craw res to Ham Ice company ss North LED-lit scul slides, capacity g, accordin tunnels and ts. way featu ing rado, New ncin ible, tunnels, gues oned cities acro dista thtak Colo r as poss r arve brea othe ed include thrones, ice-c Whereveclearly mark sure with mandates, g built e. n bein en frozen will be -to-face expo l and state and mor les is agai Hidd with loca fountainslly, Ice Cast Resort, 1091 Highway limit face rdance off Loca National In acco is the third Geneva, eva at Gen Circle, Lake way 67. This n. The Cottage south of High in Wisconsi 50 just the attraction this NDS: Earlier ora year for ELING TRE e re-
on his Octo s for inspirati is an as he train ebeiner n Birk . active race America 33rd country ski Section 2 – cross
ELKHORN INDEPENDENT
nty.com orthcou mywalw
812 North Wisconsin St. 262-723-2250 mywalworthcounty.com
395619
TM
SHARED PURPOSE. PURPOSE. MUTUAL MUTUAL VALUES. VALUES.TM SHARED
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