As part of the system of National Homes created by Congress in 1865, the Northwestern Branch became home to thousands of men disabled by service in the Union army during the Civil War. Many of the buildings--including Main, the Ward Theater, and the Chapel--still stand. The grounds were made into a Historic District in 1994. They can be accessed through the main entrance of the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center at 5000 W National Ave, Milwaukee, WI.
World War I veteran Laurie T. Leonard's home stood in what is now West Milwaukee Park, one of two parks in the Village of West Milwaukee (just east of the better-known city of West Allis). Leonard was nine years old when West Milwaukee was incorporated in 1906. Both the neighborhood and Leonard's life story exemplify the rapid economic transformation of metropolitan Milwaukee in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
James Harold Dance, a World War I veteran and a hard working farmer, got the golden ticket in the agricultural experience. Dance’s deep family ties with the city of Brookfield is what allotted him this opportunity. Beginning with his grandfather in the mid-19th century, Dance and his family helped to reshape agricultural advances that would impact Wisconsin forever. Dance’s personal experiences allowed for a unique opportunity to see how agriculture changed before and after World War I.
Art Erdmann was a decorated war hero and American patriot. Born to German immigrants, he faced the anti-German discrimination that was common in the American Midwest during the early 1900s, and even changed the spelling of his name in order to avoid persecution. Art Erdmann spent his whole life proving what a true American he was. He enlisted in World War I in 1917 and was deployed to France with the 32nd Division less than a year later. Only the allies' victory over the Central Powers in Europe allowed Art to return home and change his name back to its original spelling.
A 15 ft. tall sundial, made of concrete, limestone and metal, dominates this small site on the western end of Waukesha's Main Street. Created and installed by Ken Saiki Design in 1998, the functioning sundial overlooks the Fox River. In addition to honoring Waukesha's veterans, the park marks the western end of the city's riverwalk, a mulit-use leisure trail that connects several recreation areas in downtown Waukesha.
This house, located on Maria St., was the home of the WWI veteran Ernest Gerald Kline. Born to German parents in Elba, Wisconsin, Ernest moved to Waukesha, where he likely faced discrimination for being German-American. Becoming a cement finisher after school, Ernest would eventually find his way into enlisting into the U.S. Army during WWI. Although forgotten, Ernest was a perfect example of a first-generation German-American proving his loyalty towards the United States despite facing discrimination in Waukesha.
The Reverend Martin Kundic was the first priest to hold regular services in Waukesha. Mass was celebrated in the house of John Gaspar on Main Street and the current gothic stone church was completed in 1888 under the guidance of Father Wm. G. Miller. Solomon Juneau of Milwaukee donated the land to St. Joseph's Church in 1843. There was a log house built by Mr. Juneau on the property and it was converted to a church.
This imposing limestone edifice was built in 1893-94, on the same site of Waukesha’s original—and more modest—1849 courthouse. It dominated the city skyline, and housed county offices, records depositories and—up on the third floor—a large, wood-paneled courtroom, where schoolteacher Grace Lusk stood trial for the 1917 murder of Mrs. David Roberts, wife of renowned veterinarian Dr. David Roberts. Today, the historic courthouse is home to Waukesha's vibrant County Historical Society and Museum. You'll also find a beautiful event venue (in the fully restored courtroom) and--in the former jailhouse--luxury apartments.Between June 1917 and September 1918, young men from across the county lined up in the first-floor hallway to register for Selective Service. Carroll University's WWI Heritage Trail tells some of their stories, beginning wth the County Museum's collection of WWI service records.A quarter century later, a new generation climbed the stairs to register for service during World War II. Starting in 2023, Carroll's WWII Heritage Trail will help local residents and visitors explore connections between Waukesha families and "the good war."
This rambling building was the childhood home of two Waukesha veterans. Frank J. and Emil A. Olshefski lived in this roomy two-story house along with their German immigrant parents and with four other siblings. As young adults, the two brothers seized the opportunity to see the old country--and assert their American identity--in The Great War alongside each other. Frank and Emil joined the A.E.F. (American Expeditionary Force) and deployed to France. They fought against the Germans, and helped restore peace to Europe.
One of the oldest and most decorated divisions in military history, the 28th Infantry had served as a huge line of defense for Paris during WWI. Led by the famous General John J Pershing, he would say his men were made of iron. Frederick Vergenz from Waukesha was one of those many brave men. Many people don't know his name, but his sacrifice must not be forgotten.
The 1919 home of Clinton Breese conceals the importance of one of Waukesha’s most prominent men. Breese was born in 1894 and would become one of the most well known figures 20th Century Waukesha. Breese first gained fame as a pilot during World War One, becoming a local hero in the process. He would later serve as a valuable member of the community, holding a variety of positions and various memberships during the course of his long life. Clinton Breese was a loving father, husband, and an integral part of Waukesha’s history. In part because of his legacy, Clinton Breese’s home is now a part the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places.
The Iron Jaw Division. Les Terribles. The Red Arrow Division. The men who made up the 32nd Infantry Division of the Army National Guard have been called many things. While Corporal Aaron W. Rhodes was simply a member of the 107th Supply Train, he followed his fellow soldiers to the front lines, and helped cement the legend of the Red Arrow Division in the memory of Wisconsin natives.
This modest, well-kept neighborhood is pretty quiet these days, tucked in between West College Avenue and Waukesha's Fox River Sanctuary. A hundred years ago, though, the German-American Junemann family called it home. Son Harold Junemann, born on January 9th, 1899 spent most of his childhood here--a stone's throw from Bethesda Spring Park--before registering for military service at the county courthouse about a mile away.
What does it mean to serve? To fight on the front lines; to engage in trench warfare. These are ways many U.S. soldiers served in World War I. But what about soldiers who never left the United States? What about nurses who tended the wounded and the dying? These brave men and women also served our country, and Dr. Joseph Evans is an excellent example of this.
Until a cow was struck and killed by a bolt of lightning in 1929, Merrill Hills Country Club was traditional rolling farmland in southeastern Wisconsin. The club was founded by World War One, United States Marine veteran, Earle William Hardy and a group of avid golfers from the area. Earle discovered the perfect place for the 54-hole golf club by coming to the farm that originally sprawled there to investigate the death of the aforementioned cow that was struck by lightning. This stroke of luck and timing was indicative of Earle Hardy’s life. He was born into a family of relative wealth and opportunity. Earle served in France during The Great War in the finest fighting force, but rarely, if ever, saw the brutality of ferocious fighting experienced by many in the Marine Brigade. This in not to say that Earle was handed everything in his life, but one can conclude that Earle, like the Merrill Hills Country Club, encountered many strokes of luck that led to a lifetime of prosperity.
This Tour is a Digital Story Map.
Get a QR Code for this tour
This heritage trail was created by Dr. Kimberly Redding and her students at Carroll University. The trail includes entries for individual veterans that have been placed on the map at the places where they lived prior to entering the service. The trail also includes local landmarks related to the history of World War I.
