This week in Dells History

100 years ago – July 1, 1926

During the past week, Chris Lee has bought the Meadowbrook Farm Resort located about half a mile north of Kilbourn on Route 13. The property consists of a main building which is used for a hotel office, dining room and bedrooms and is nicely arranged for the purpose. There is an Annex to the place which contains eight bedrooms and is located close to the main building.

At a recent meeting of the boat operators, an association was formed, which calls for the inspection of all boats. This has been lacking at The Dells since the dam was built. Among the companies that have agreed to come into the association are Olson Boat Company, Dells Boat Company, Harold Barrett, Walter Bresnahan, H.R. Blevons, C Mueller, J.C. Edmonds, C.D. Berry and A.U. Waterman. G.D. Parsons was elected president, Ben Olson vice president and Harold Barrett secretary/ treasurer of the association.

Plans are underway for the first baby and pre-school clinic for Kilbourn. Mothers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and have their child examined before entering school in the fall, the doctors have offered services for free examination. Each child will be weighed and measured and receive a complete physical examination and advice from the doctor. Doctors McGovern, Boynton, and Duclos offered their service.

The Sorge Ice Cream Company of Reedsburg has leased the old creamery building at 318 Broadway in this city and will open a branch here in the near future. The company has been selling ice cream in the city for some time, hauling their product from Reedsburg in order to supply their customers. With this move, they will manufacture the product right here.

75 years ago – July 5, 1951

The Mid-July, vacation issue of “WOMAN,” a magazine edited by Kate Smith, lists Wisconsin Dells among the 25 best Low-Cost Vacation spots. " Few spots in the United States are as beautiful as Wisconsin Dells. The Wisconsin River has carved a fantastic channel into the sandstone rack around the town."

Marcel "Nibs" Naber had a close call last Thursday when he came in contact with a live wire while working on a post at Dells Park. He was knocked out by the shock and hung from his belt until taken down. One hand was quite badly burned but outside of the shock no other injuries were sustained he was back at work on Monday.

This weekend at the Dells Theater, its Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett, and Elizabeth Taylor in "Father's Little Dividend." Also, “War News,” a color cartoon, and “March of Time.” Only 33 cents plus tax.

50 years ago – July 1, 1976

Nearly 200 farm families and other Swiss citizens visited the Otto Christopherson Farm in the town of Newport one day last week while on a tour of the United States.

In addition to the 34 family attractions at Wisconsin Dells-Lake Delton, a good old-fashioned picnic and arts and crafts show will be featured on July 3. The popular Kiwanis Chic-Pic which makes an annual appearance each fall during Wo-Zha-Wa, will be duplicated on Saturday. Proceeds will go toward a new Nature Center at Camp Upham Woods. The Chic-Pic will be located at Bowman Park with a chicken dinner for $2.75 for adults and $2 for children 12 and younger.

The Big Spring School will retain its three teachers and will operate as a kindergarten to sixth grade center for the 1976-77 school year. The board authorized superintendent Gerald Peterson to organize a committee made up of residents of the entire district to study the attendance situation at Big Spring and Briggsville and make a report to the board.

Wisconsin Dells Little League Baseball Team kept their slate clean by beating Lake Delton 22-4 and Endeavor 19-6. The Dells hosts Pete's Country Store this Monday at the athletic field.

25 years ago – July 7, 2001

The Ho-Chunk Nation's new president took office Wednesday at the convention center. Troy Swallow, 36, from Oklahoma City, replaces interim president Clarence Pettibone. Swallow will finish out the two-year term of ousted president Jacob LoneTree who was recalled from office last fall.

With a beautiful view of the river from an outdoor patio as well as healthy salads and homemade chocolate cake, the new River Moon Cafe at the Lower Dells Boat Docks offers an alternative to fast foods. Mary and Eric Helland opened the restaurant a few weeks ago and she makes the chocolate cake, the banana and pumpkin breads and salads. "We have candy and ice cream too," said Mary with a smile.

Thunder Valley Inn has announced its latest visiting musical group. The Tommerdalen Band from Selbu, Trondelag, Norway will play this Friday and Saturday. An old fashioned "Torsk"/fish supper will be offered on Friday night.

Heather Laundrie, 1997 Wisconsin Dells graduate, was honored at the annual year-end ceremony of the English Department at UW-Stevens Point. She received the Bryon Crites Memorial Award. She is a senior majoring in English education with a minor in writing.