Businesses
Dublin Core
Title
Businesses
Subject
In 1896, the newly chartered city of Waukesha was home to two banks, twenty-two incorporated businesses, three newspapers, and dozens of privately owned businesses. The hub of consumer and retail activity was the Five Points intersection, where Main Street, Broadway and Grand Avenues met.
Professional offices for physicians, dentists, lawyers, financiers, tailors photographers, shoe repair, barbers, veterinarians, and others came into the city to build their clientele. Local government office buildings were joined by state office buildings, as the office based workforce expanded. Franchised restaurants began populating the main thoroughfares in and out of town. People shopped at stores and dined at restaurants after cashing their paychecks on Friday.
During the 1960s, the opening of Brookfield Square signaled the end of downtown as a prime shopping destination. It was reborn in the 1980s with a mix of art studios, specialty shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The focus of the downtown has changed through the last 125 years, but it has remained a mix of commercial, professional, service, and entertainment endeavors.
New commercial districts sprang up outside the downtown, including the East Five Points, Sunset Drive, Silvernail, Road, and Westbrook and Fox Run. These and others remain a vital mix of retail and commerce for the city of Waukesha.
Professional offices for physicians, dentists, lawyers, financiers, tailors photographers, shoe repair, barbers, veterinarians, and others came into the city to build their clientele. Local government office buildings were joined by state office buildings, as the office based workforce expanded. Franchised restaurants began populating the main thoroughfares in and out of town. People shopped at stores and dined at restaurants after cashing their paychecks on Friday.
During the 1960s, the opening of Brookfield Square signaled the end of downtown as a prime shopping destination. It was reborn in the 1980s with a mix of art studios, specialty shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The focus of the downtown has changed through the last 125 years, but it has remained a mix of commercial, professional, service, and entertainment endeavors.
New commercial districts sprang up outside the downtown, including the East Five Points, Sunset Drive, Silvernail, Road, and Westbrook and Fox Run. These and others remain a vital mix of retail and commerce for the city of Waukesha.
Collection Items
Shopping bags, assorted
Downtown Waukesha has been home to hundreds of shops and businesses. The Five Points intersection of Main, Broadway and Grand offered a central point that anchored the business corridor on the south side of the river. This collage of shopping bags…
Press Badge
This press badge belonged to Henry A. Youmans, nephew of the Waukesha Freeman editor Henry M. Youmans, and noted suffragist and journalist, Theodora W. Youmans. As a teen, Henry worked in the “back shop” of the Freeman, sweeping floors and setting…
Medicine Bag
This small kit bag belonged to Dr. Maybelle Park. Dr. Park was one of the first women physicians in Waukesha. Born in Vernon, WI, she attended Carroll College and then the University of Wisconsin. She earned her medical degree from Women's Medical…
Still Bank
Financial services are an important part of a city’s growth and development. Represented here are the First National Bank of Waukesha and Waukesha State Bank. Their still bank, or “piggy” bank, promotions encouraged savings from young, future…
Promotional Items
Name recognition is a key to a business’ success. Small novelties were a cost effective way for businesses to get their name into customers' homes. Some items related to the business directly - like a water cup from a spring water business. Others…
Cylinder Press
This plate from Friday, July 14, 1972 was used to print the last "Waukesha Freeman" edition using hot metal type and lead printing plates.
It was just one piece of an involved process. First, a linotype machine and hot metal injection was used to…
It was just one piece of an involved process. First, a linotype machine and hot metal injection was used to…
Moor Mud Bath Scale and Room Rate Signs
This heavy cast metal platform scale was used at the Moor Mud Baths. Originally opened as the Grand View Health Resort, the baths became a popular resort destination in the first half of the 20th century.
John Weber Sr. built the Grand View on the…
John Weber Sr. built the Grand View on the…
Shingle
This piece of scalloped wooden shingles was a section of the Bethesda Springhouse roof, built in 1893. The springhouse took on many forms over the years. Originally, it was a simple wooden structure. In the 1880s, tents were used to cover the spring.…
Clicquot Club Sign
This sign was salvaged from part of the Almanaris building. The site went on to house cheese production and storage, and later RTE Company.
Cliquot Club was a nationally franchised beverage company, with a trademark Eskimo drinking a bottle of pop.…
Cliquot Club was a nationally franchised beverage company, with a trademark Eskimo drinking a bottle of pop.…
White Rock Sign
This promotional sign features one of the longest running American trademarks, the winged nymph Psyche. A painting, “Psyche at Nature’s Mirror” by Paul Thumann, displayed at the 1893 Chicago Exhibition caught the attention of White Rock’s owners, who…