Wausau- Official

Nota:

• Main Members: Cyrus Yawkey A.P. Woodson  Alexander Woodson  Walter Alexander  John D. Ross  Walter H. BissellNeal BrownD.C. Everest 

1. Cyrus Yawkey

   Nota:

   • Cyrus Yawkey was a very high esteemed man. It would be agreed by many that if Cyrus were not a part of this community it would be the way it is today. He was married to Alice Yawkey and together they had a daughter, Leigh, who married A.P. Woodson
   1. Main Leader of Wausau Group
   2. Major benefactor to businesses and the town

      Nota:

      • Cyrus donated so much time, devotion and money into making this community great.
   3. Home donated by daughter and made into museum in 1954
2. Group of Industrialist
   1. Had a vision for the community, went for it
3. Major Factors to Wausau Growth
4. Neal Brown
   1. Created an insurance company
      1. Helped with the law for all businesses , especially the white pines
5. A.P. Woodson
   1. Home made into the Marathon County Historical Society in 1914
   2. Son in Law of Cyrus Yawkey

1. Parks
   1. Athletic Park
      1. Land donated by Cyrus Yawkey
      2. Baseball
         1. Started up in 1871 in Wausau
            1. Went Bankrupt in 1884
   2. Pavilion Park

      Nota:

      • The Pavilion Parks land was bought by Wausau in 1908. It held activities like a zoo, a baseball diamond, three dance halls and many more. Ownership was given to Wisconsin in 1938
      1. Brought into Wausau in 1908
         1. Major source of entertainment and a social setting for people
2. Hotels

   Nota:

   • The Bellis Hotel was built in 1881 and was located on 3rd and Scott street. It was owned by George Bellis and his wife until it was demolished and replaced by Wausau Hotel. These buildings held many parties, meetings and even a lounge and coffee shop.
   1. Bellis Hotel built in 1881
   2. Wausau Hotel
      1. Replaces Bellis Hotel in 1925
         1. Is made into apartments
3. The Grands

   Nota:

   • In 1883 the Grand Opera House was built. However, in 1892 a fire burnt down the whole street. In its place The Grand Theater was built in 1927.
   1. Grand Opera House built in 1899
      1. Fire of January 19, 1892 burns down whole street
         1. Grand Theater is built in 1927 as its replacement
4. Music
   1. Dance Halls
      1. 1925: North western Ballroom Asso.
      2. Held activities supporting schools
   2. Music Halls

      Nota:

      • The Music Hall was built in 1868 by Jacob Holter. It was a source of many orchestras bands and was also a major social setting. However there was a fire in 1869 which burnt down the building. It was then rebuilt and made larger with an additional barber shop.
      1. Music Hall built in 1868 by Jacob Holter
         1. Fire in 1869
            1. Rebuilt with major additions
   3. German Choirs & Music

      Nota:

      • The Germans had settled in the 1850's and 1860's and with them came their music and dances. 
      1. Maeennergesang: First recorded german group in the area
      2. Performed at parks in the are

1. Near white pines

   Nota:

   • The white pines being near the Wisconsin River was the main drive for people to move to Wausau. 
   1. Attracted people for work
      1. Created need for insurance companie

         Nota:

         • With the high chance of getting injured working with chopping lumber, insurance companies were needed for things like workers compensation.
   2. Made bussineses

      Nota:

      • With all of these new people and so much lumber it all created a need for more businesses ranging from groceries, clothing stores, many leisure areas, etc.
2. Brought in new citizens with families
   1. Created a need for other smaller bussineses
      1. Further created need for housing, stores and leisure activities
3. Transportation
   1. Trees and logs were easily transported down the river

1. Lumber Companies
   1. Yawkey Lumber Companies
   2. Many mills were made available due to the abundance of white pines

      Nota:

      • With such an abundance of white pines, it became useful and wise to begin lumber companies. With these lumber companies also came mills. The most popular was the paper mills.
   3. Made a variety of shops available for the people
2. Fromm Brothers

   Nota:

   • The Fromm Brothers created themselves a couple of businesses that brought a lot of attention to the area. The silver foxes brought the coats, and with their brand name came the recognition of the hometown.
   1. Gensing
      1. Grew the economy and helped make people aware of the city
   2. Silver Foxes
      1. Brought attention to the area
   3. Fromm Brother resort brought much attention from wealthy members