History
The Past - and Future of
Elroy
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The following was written by
Elroy Historian and booster Tilmar Roalkvam.
Tilmar was born September 16, 1918 and passed away May 30,
2005.
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As bikers participating in the Minnesota-Wisconsin Aids
Ride passed through on the bike trails Tilmar was active in
handing them apples to help them remember
Elroy.
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Tilmar was very active in the Elroy Lions Club and
was one of the founders of the Lions Radio Days program. He
contributed much to the 36th annual program in April 2005
just as he has every year.
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Thomas Brown and Thomas Riddle
made the first claim and settlement just north of the present City
of Elroy in March, 1851. Two months later three Fowler brothers and
a nephew that also made claims settled in this same area. When
winter came, the community had grown to eight families, and the
next spring a school was organized with Miss Emily Fowler as the
first teacher.
The
settlement grew and the need for closer communication with the
outside world was required so an official post office was
established. This office, which was named Fowler's Prairie, opened
on July 16, 1857 in the home of Reuben A. Fowler, the first
postmaster. It was just east of the present Elroy-Sparta Trail and
about one-half mile west of the present city limits.
In 1855
James Hutchinson bought from the U.S. Government much of the land
that would later make up what is now the City of Elroy. The next
year, James Brintnall came to the area, bought land from Mr.
Hutchinson and set up a saw mill. In 1858, Mr. Brintnall along with
a J.M. Bennet of Hillsboro Township surveyed and plotted the first
section of Elroy. Streets and alleys were designated as the law
required.
In 1859
John Hutchinson came to the area and along with his brother James,
bought Brintnall's saw mill so they could build a grist mill. this
mill stood where the last bridge as you come into Elroy from the
south on Hwy. 80 & 82 is now located. Remnants of the dam which
was built may still be seen under the railroad bridge which is now
on the "400" Trail. This location was at the narrowest point of the
Baraboo River so less material would be needed. After the
completion of the mill the farmers did not have to spend a day or
two going to the Lemonweir Mills south of Mauston.
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Because of the mill other places
of business sprang up and the infant community was doing well and
now it needed a name.
The
post office had been brought down from Fowler's Prairie but that
name did not fit the new area. The office was located in the home
of Mr. James Brintnall, which is still standing as the first home
on Lincoln Street. The name LeRoy was suggested and all twenty-five
residents concurred, but a letter came back from the Post Office
Department with the information that there already was a LeRoy in
Wisconsin so Mr. Brintnall's daughter suggested turning the first
two letters around and the OK came back for Elroy. Jonathon Carter
came to town with a stock of goods and built a store just north of
the mill. The Bickford blacksmith shop opened as did Hagerth's
wagon shop, a livery stable and an
inn.
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The
community prospered but it took the news that the railroad was
coming that really caused the boom! By August 5, 1872, when the
first train appeared, Elroy had doubled in size and as the railroad
went on west and north Elroy became ready to incorporate. The
community became a village on December 13, 1879, and on April 7,
1885 Elroy was a city and continued to grow until in 1905 the
population was over 2,000.
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line between Milwaukee and the Twin Cities through Adams which was
much flatter was built and much of the railroad business was lost.
Railroading continued to decline and in 1964 all of the service
west was discontinued and the rails were removed. The land was sold
to what became the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and it
was developed into the first hiking and biking trail of its kind in
the world and became the "Granddaddy of all Trails". The thirty-two
mile trail with three tunnels goes on through Kendall, Wilton and
Norwalk to Sparta. In the 1980's all railroad operations ceased
between Reedsburg and Camp Douglas. The portion between Elroy and
Camp Douglas was sold to Juneau County and the "Omaha" Trail which
is twelve and a half miles long began operating in 1992. Two years
later the twenty-two mile "400" State Trail was developed. It
begins in Elroy and runs through the communities of Union Center,
Wonewoc and LaValle and ends in Reedsburg. |
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The three trails meet at the
Elroy Commons in downtown Elroy which is operated by the Tourism
Committee of the City and has several employees. Trail passes are
sold, bikes rented, T-shirts and other souvenirs as well as
refreshments are sold and information given freely. Questions on
places to stay or where to eat, what is going on in the nearby
communities, names of shuttle drivers are often asked. It might be
well to call the Commons Trail Shop at 1-888-606-BIKE (2453) before
getting too far on your trip to Elroy. Incidentally, Wisconsin
Dells, with a more exciting adventure is only thirty miles from
Elroy.
The
City of Elroy bought the old railroad depot and converted and
remodeled it into Elroy's fire station. The land on which the
twenty stall round house stood since 1900 as well as most of the
railroad yards in the City was also purchased and is now the
location of several industrial buildings.
For
many years the economy of Elroy would hang on every move the
railroad made even though agriculture was also very important for
the community. With several companies
employing more people things are looking good for the Elroy
economy. With 800 good paying jobs within twelve miles of Elroy to
be added within two or three years the future looks very
good. For more information on Elroy kindly
contact City Hall at 608-462-2400.