Sharing Our Stories: The Spring Chapter at the Historical Society

Seth Wixtrom
Mar 23
7 min read

A Message from the Niagara Area Historical Society’s President

Friends!

As I write this, I am filled with joy. The phrase, “The bloom is still on the rose,” comes to mind. Plans had been laid for something exceptional; our goal of bringing awareness to our unique spot on the map. Our Niagara community and its places and wonderful stories were ready to be shared with people of all ages and backgrounds.

The first plan came together after a request from Ben Laarman, Niagara High School History educator. He had been bringing his children to our “Last Saturday” program, and wanted to set up a time to bring his History 9 classes to the museum as well. The program is designed to make history fun and engaging for all ages, especially children, by incorporating fun activities in a social setting.

The request from Ben was met with enthusiasm and soon grew to more than just a museum visit. An additional aspect we added was to provide a bus tour through Niagara’s past. This meant finding storytellers for the tour which was not difficult to do. The names fell into place quickly and are as follows: Ricky Wagner, NHS Class of 1974, Ray Kuder, NHS Class of 1977, Darleen Kadulski, NHS Class of 1969, Jason Cretton, NHS Class of 1995, Judy Sanicki, IMHS Class of 1965 and Karen Klenke, BHS Class of 1959. A few highlights of the bus tour were the old ski jump location, Wodenka ski hill, the Kimlark Inn (now the Red Brick Inn), Hill Street including Saler’s Bluff and the Van Ginkle farm, the papermill, the location of the old school, and the Clubhouse. We will be planning more tours in the future, so do not be surprised if some of you get a call to share your stories.

Then, on March 10, we hosted a tour for students from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In April and May we look forward to welcoming the Niagara fourth grade classes for guided tours of the museum and then Serenity Woods.

Soon spring will descend on our village…not before a few more slams from Mother Nature I'm sure, but we are patient people. Serenity Woods will come alive with the addition of more than 140 new commemorative bricks in honor and memory of our people.

Watch for more events and ways to cherish our past as spring unfolds!

Until the daffodils pop! It has been nice to visit…Karen

What’s New at the Museum

Even though it is winter, things continue to happen inside the walls of the museum on River Street. Improvements continue throughout the building including: a new, larger southside window, a 65” flatscreen television mounted above the gathering room conference table, and additions to the ten exhibit areas.

The Niagara Area Historical Society Museum welcomes items of Niagara historical significance to be considered by the board for display in the museum. Items are reviewed by a committee to see if they meet relevance to the history of Niagara. Paperwork identifying the item with information provided by the donor is completed before it is reviewed by the committee.

The museum volunteers continue to host “Last Saturday” activities for the youth to explore our area history found in the ten exhibit areas along with creative monthly history craft activities and contests. These monthly “Last Saturday” events are from noon to 2 PM, September through May at the museum.

The Board is continuously working to bring our history alive with its various events. Do you have a historical idea you think would appeal to our patron and visitor base? Contact one of the board members to share your idea.

The Stones That Built Niagara

An exciting venture between the metals industrial arts students at Niagara High School and the Niagara Area Historical Society President Karen Klenke has resulted in the creation of a rock box. This brainstorm of Karen Klenke, in collaboration with technical education educator Jeff Swanson and his students, has a remarkable outcome of a metal structure to be placed at the museum’s Serenity Woods on the corners of Jefferson and Quincy Streets in Niagara.

The plan for the rock box is unique. Various large rocks of historical significance have been accumulating at Serenity Woods. Such rocks include a rock from the mill’s tunnel, a foundational rock from the old St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, and large roadside rocks from the Zaidel farm located south of Niagara. Other families have also brought forth rocks of varying sizes from their farms, homesteads, and gardens in the surrounding area to add to the collection.

The main objective for creating the rock box was titled, “the stones that built Niagara.” Last year, AutoCAD class began designing this unique box. This year’s students in the welding class are now in charge of bringing this concept to life. Not only are the students using their knowledge of building such an item, but also knowing they are giving back to the community they call home.

Plans are being formulated to have a “rock run” by volunteers from the museum during the summer months to collect additional rocks for the rock bin. The museum will call out to families in the area to locate a significant rock from their property. The volunteers will drive about the community collecting the donated rocks. Look for more information in the coming months on this fun adventure and begin scoping your property for your rock!

Historical Tidbits About Niagara

Our community has a vibrant past filled with unique stories and remarkable events. As we look back, it is fascinating to explore the historical tidbits that have shaped who we are today.

Holy Cow!

The $1200 award which the Marinette County Circuit Court gave Mike Sopchak for damages afflicted by an unruly cow was overturned today by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Sopchak sued Anna Kadulski and John Zaidel, Niagara wholesale meat and feed dealers, for $10,000 and won a $1200 verdict over the outcome of a 50-cent job.

Zaidel gave Sopchak and Edward Waitrovich a half dollar each to lead a cow from one barn to another knowing that the cow was wild and failing to warn them, charged Sopchak, who was knocked down and injured by the animal.

(Wisconsin State Journal, Tuesday, December 5, 1933, page 16)

Niagara – Capital City of Nicknames

(Taken from the NAHS publication by the same name. Editor: Jim “Zuke” Zukowski)

Jug, Hubba and Jug Jr – Brothers LeRoy “Jug” and Ronald “Bubba” Brault, Jug’s daughter Denise Brault Thomson “Jug Jr”

In Again Out Again Finnegan – Mike Finnegan

Baloney and Bud – Roland Phillips

Creamy, Choppers, Cuffer and Fish – Carol Moreau, Patrick Moreau, William Moreau and James Moreau

Bunny, Butch and Buster – Bernard Rouse, Floyd Rouse, Raymond Rouse

Pope – Martain Ponzio

Sam, Sharky and Trapper – Dan Chartier, Dennis Chartier, George Chartier

Pee Wee, Wee Wee, PP or Peeps – Edward Liebergen, Denise Liebergen, Gary Johnson

Jabo – Jack Garvaglia

Banana, Flash, Chee Chee, Freddy, Johnnie, Sleepy John and Dusty – Donald Brown, Robert Gordon, Doanld Chapman, Haven Ready, Genevieve Jenkins, Kenneth Johnston, Rolland Rhodes

Butch- Clarence, bob and Jim Marcouiller were all known as Butch.

Bugadoo and Pork Chop – Arnold Neveau, Raymond Neveau

Serenity Woods Commemorative Bricks

The 142 personalized commemorative bricks which were ordered in the “Last Chance” brick sale, will arrive late spring for installation along the meandering walkways of Serenity Woods. Numerous individuals, groups, and businesses viewed the impact of the first 214 bricks which were purchased summer through winter of 2025 and expressed a desire to order their own brick.

Serenity Woods continues to evolve into a reflective, natural, serene site for individuals to sit beneath the pergola and take in the pine scented woods to reflect, remember, contemplate, or enjoy the environment.

The woods holds a Winter Solstice on or about December 21st with a welcoming campfire, thoughtful Native American stories and delicious hot chocolate. Guests are given a mesh bag of aroma producing natural items to simmer with water in their homes providing calm and nature filled scents.

The Niagara Area Historical Society board is planning additional events at Serenity Woods in the summer months. To see what is planned, visit our website at www.niagaraareahistoricalsociety.org or on Facebook at Niagara Historical Museum.

Early Records

With numerous lumber camps located in the area, John Stoveken developed a pulp mill in the area in 1889 above the Little Quinnesec Falls. The pulp mill was then purchased by the Badger Paper Company in 1892 who ran the mill for six years before being bought by Kimberly Clark in 1898.

The upstairs in the log house of John Timm was Niagara’s first school. It was used for two years in the 1890’s. It was located across the street from where the Red Brick now stands.

The 1939-1940 Niagara Town Board consisted of Hrold Schindler, August Liepit, and A.J. Cretton.

The first meat market in Niagara was started by Paul Scholz and Louis DeCremer on January 1, 1903.

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church was first located on the site of Henry Wagner’s home on north Main Street across from Triangle Park. The church’s rectory was the current home of Rose and George Bousley. The church was moved to its River Street location where it stood until the 1960’s when it was torn down and the current church was erected.

(Information retrieved from the “Niagara Silver Jubilee and Homecoming Historic Souvenir, July 2-4, 1939)

Meet the Members of NAHS

The current members of the Niagara Area Historical Society Museum Board include:

President: Karen Klenke

Vice- President Emeritus: Lois Chartier

Secretary: Tami Mielcarek

Treasurer: Debbie Wodenka

Members: Jeri Allen, Debbie Gursky, Darleen Kadulski, Judy Sanick

Local advisors and volunteers who contribute their time and expertise to allow us to host events at the museum and Serenity Woods include: Julia Berglund, Julie Butler, Jason Cretton, Audrey Fredrick, Danny Joe Garseau, Emma Geldmeyer, Ray Kuder, Ben Laarman, Ed Laarman, Dan Recla, Bruce Redmond, Diane Redmond, Annie Sanicki, Bob Sauld, Betsy St. Arnauld, Cindy Sanders, Rick Wagner, Seth Wixtrom, Steve Zigman

When We Are Open

The Niagara Historical Society Museum is located at 1364 River Street in Niagara in the former Marcouiller’s IGA building and the paper millworkers’ union center.

We are open on Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10-2. If you wish to schedule a tour at a different time, contact Karen Klenke at 906-396-7499 to make arrangements.

During the rest of the year, September through April, we offer a “Last Saturday” program for kids at the museum from noon – 2. A variety of activities include story time, seasonal crafts, and adventure projects. During the “Last Saturday” events, patrons are welcome to stop in and view the numerous historical displays.

A Call Out for Volunteers

Are you interested in becoming involved at the Niagara Area Historical Society? We are looking for volunteers to assist at museum events ranging from helping organize, set up, planning events at both museum sites, assisting at fine-tuning our ten history kiosks in the museum, or even becoming a docent to welcome visitors to the museum during Saturdays in the summer.

Any amount of time you can provide your hometown historical museum is appreciated. If interested, contact Karen Klenke at 906-396-7499 or karenstudio187@gmail.com.