Depot History
by Mike Reilly, 4/28/03, updated 06/04/2004
The Depot history continues from 2001 to Present.
In October2001, Vol. 1, Issue 2, Quarterly Newsletter of the Sussex-Lisbon Area Historical Society (SLAHS), was mentioned for the first time that the old depot property behind the church on Main Street might present a future opportunity forhousing a local historical museum. The former Chicago & North Western Railroad depot was built in 1911, and moved to its’ present location, behind the old Zion Evangelical Church and parsonage on Main Street in Sussex, in 1979.
Depot – Dec 2001, showing bridge from Sentry parking lot (east). Photo: Fred H. Keller collection
Depot – Dec 2001, rear, looking west. Photo: Fred H. Keller collection
On July 9,2002, the Sussex Sun reported theSociety had been in a holding pattern for doing important fund raising andacceptance, especially that leading to the purchase of the depot for use as amuseum. A single donation of at least $100,000 from an unrevealed benefactor wasexpected to be announced soon. A Society member (and antique dealer) recentlyfound three 80-100 year old display cases in Jackson, Wisconsin that will beused in the proposed depot museum. One is eight feet long, the other two arefive feet.
In July 2002, in a letter mailed to members, it wasnoted that after details are finalized, and the Society occupies the depot atHistoric Square on Main Street, there are building needs, in and out. Thegrounds need work, and bills for heat and light will need to be paid. Plusinsurance, security, etc.
Asreported by the Quarterly Newsletter, Volume 2, Number 4 – SLAHS officerscontinued activities to purchase the depot, more of which would be discussed atthe December 2nd member meeting.
At theDecember 2nd meeting held at the Pauline Haass Public Library Quadracci Room,members heard that the depot had been purchased for $74,000 on Tuesday, November26, 2002. The money came from an initial donation of $100,000 by James A. Taylorwhose collection will be displayed in the proposed museum.
In the December 3, 2002 issue of the Sussex Sun, thepublic found out how the depot was purchased. The money came from an initialdonation of $100,000 by James A. Taylor of Mequon whose personal collection willbe displayed in the proposed museum. Taylor, founder of the former TaylorElectric Co, in Mequon downplayed his involvement in the purchase, he said,” I did it because it is right and good to help the HistoricalSociety.”
The depot was purchased from Sandy Mack who earlier boughtthe depot, former church and parsonage at N63 W23811 Main St. in 2000. Sheoperates Sussex Country Printing out of a portion of the former Zion Evangelicaland Reformed Church.
The depot building provides 1,510 sq ft of space on the1st floor, and has a basement for storage. Vacant for several years, it had beenmoved to its’ present location in 1978 after being constructed in 1914, locatedadjacent to the Bug Line tracks on Maple Avenue. It had served as a telegraphoffice, freight-handling facility, ticket office, and waiting room forpassengers. Sussex was once served by three railroads, in 1886 by the WisconsinCentral, in 1890 to 1910 by the Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls and Western Railroad(Bug Line), then the Northwestern Railroad in 1910.
Mr. Taylor collections of coverlets (colorful wovenquilt-like items used to cover beds or to warm a seated person), cut glass,Buddy L toys, and detailed model wooden ships will be displayed on a rotatingbasis to encourage people to come back and visit the museum, time and time again.