Cedarburg Wollen Mill & Office

The next mill that we'll see today is now part of The Cedar Creek Settlement Shops were there are gift shops, restaurants, and other assortments that are sold. But this area in 1864 and 1865 was a thriving business district set-up by three founding members of Cedarburg along Cedar Creek.

Like every other mill in Cedarburg, these were built to help farmers sell their crops and generate commerce in the area. The Wollen Mill was built and established from 1864 to about 1865 during the American Civil War. But due to its original size, the building has twice been increased to its original size. First, the original mill was built during the Civil War in the northern half of the structure. Then, a familiar addition was added to the southern portion of the building near Bridge Road about 30 years since the mill was built. Its addition makes it stand out even today, with both the northern and southern portions of the mill, which used to have a low Greek-Revival pitched roof, also had a past section that expressed an ornamented cupola. But in 1907, both of these roofs would be removed. And then added a third story to the mill that still has the present-day flat roof. 

The mill office would also be added with the Wollen Mill in 1864 and 1865. Frederick Hilgen, Diedrich Hilgen, and Joseph Trottman founded the office and the mill. In the early parts of the tour, Hilgen was a businessman and wanted to expand the mill industry in Cedarburg. Due to the proximity of Cedar Creek, this mill, along with the Cedarburg Mill, would use the creek and its water to power and operate the mills at an efficient level. As with the Wollen Mill, the mill's office also has its unique structural history. Again, this building has a three-story stone Greek-Revival structure built during the Civil War in 1864-1865. This part of the building contained the office for the mill; the northern portion of the building would be used for storage space for others items. The mill and factory at the rear of the building would turn out the day's items. Items like wollen and worsted yarns, flannels, frocking, skirting, blankets, and mackinaws. This mill and the office would boost the mill industry in Cedarburg for the next couple of years in the nineteenth century as a result.

Zimmermann, H. Russell. The Heritage Guidebook: Landmarks And Historical Sites In Southeastern Wisconsin. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Heritage Banks, 1976. 198.

Zimmermann, H. Russell. The Heritage Guidebook: Landmarks And Historical Sites In Southeastern Wisconsin/Highlights Of Historic Cedarburg. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Heritage Banks, 1976.

A Walk Through Yesterday: In Cedarburg Wisconsin. 2005.

Hansen, Harold E.. Sketches Of Cedarburg: Celebrating 100 Years. Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Cedarburg Commemorative Corporation, 1985. 75.

Wisconsin Historical Society, Wiesler, Woolen Mill Dam, 122088. Viewed online at (https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM122088).