Kewaunee County Historical Society
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Events for Kewaunee County Historical Society 2019
Signs of Kewaunee County
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Dikeman
Charles Dikeman was a lumberman of Saginaw, Michigan and came to Kewaunee County in the employment of Daniel Slauson and Issac Taylor. In 1863, he purchased 4,200 acres of forest land in the Town of Coryville, which later became West Kewaunee. He ran his lumbering business until 1886, when illness forced him to retire.
The Dikeman village pictured in the print consisted of about 30 buildings, including a steam powered lumber and shingle mill, store, and dwellings for 15 families, plus the sleeping quarters and cookhouse for the unmarried workers.
The village boasted on saloon privately owned and operated by an individual by the name of Breszinsky at the east end of the village. The store carried a general stock of goods required both by himself and family as well as his employees. The population of the village was about 80 people of whom 30 to 40 were employed about the mill, store and surroundings.
In 1878, Charles Dikeman erected a palatial mansion of architectural grandeur surrounded by artificial spring fed fish ponds, deer enclosures, nicely laid out grounds with bridges and graveled walks with a conservatory supplying choice flowers at all seasons of the year. It was a grand sight, much the representation of a castle of the middle ages.
He built the home with his own hands and material and furnished it with many conveniences unheard of so far distant from a large city. For many years it was the show-place of the county and was famous for many festivities and social gatherings.
Charles Dikeman's Mill
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HEADLINE:
The Fresnel Lens, which was in the Kewaunee Pierhead lighthouse was transferred to the KCHS History Center at 217 Ellis Street in Kewaunee on June 7, 2019. The Lens is available for viewing by the general public on Thrusday and Friday 10:00am to 4:00 pm each week.
Plans are made to have a Lens Dedication September 7, 2019. Jake Heffernan has agreed to be the speaker for this event, which will be held at 1:00 pm at the History Center at 217 Ellis Street in downtown Kewaunee. A plaque will be given to Dan Vogel, who built the display case for the Fresnel Lens and a plaque with relevant information about the Lens will also be given. After the program a light lunch and social will follow. Robin S. Nelson, D.C Chair Kewaunee Lighthouse Committee greatly assisted in helping make these arrangements for his occasion. Please come and enjoy this event and come and see the historic lens, which came to Kewaunee between 1891 and 1894.
Agricultural Heritage Days - September 21st and 22nd 2019
will be held at the Kewaunee County fairgrounds in Luxemburg. The Historical Society has a booth each year with displays and general information about the Society and County History. This annual event showcases farming practices and equipment used in years past. It is meant to educate and promote agriculture. KCHS will be in the Exhibition Hall with other vendors.
