Pages from the Past
Posted: Living Sussex Sun, September 1, 2009
By Fred Keller, Sussex Village Historian
100 years ago – 1909
The Wisconsin Central/Soo Line Railroad surveyed to get in spur lines to the Lannon quarries.
The Menomonee Town Board met at Leimbach’s Hotel to discuss the Milwaukee Electric Railroad having an interurban passenger line for Lannon and Menomonee Falls.
The Italian settlement in Lannon had a riot with lots of noise, but no one was seriously hurt.
50 years ago – 1959
Gil Riewe was the Sussex village marshal (constable).
Lannon quarry worker William Bowers, 36, died from an accident while operating a machine a the Conco Quarry.
Barbecue grills were installed at the new Sussex Village Park. The next thing to go in was a softball field at the end of Sunset Drive.
25 years ago – 1984
The Lisbon garage well had elevated chloride measurements nearing unacceptable levels.
Lisbon planned to no longer allow the town salt supply for roads to stand in the open.
Waukesha Coroner Donald Eggum retired.
John Eldrich was named the new Lannon postmaster.
10 years ago – 1999
Robert and Roscella Butler were the honored guests at the Woodside School grand opening.
The estimated Lisbon population was 9,079.
Templeton Middle School had a historical artifact on display, a restored James Templeton loveseat.
5 years ago – 2004
Sussex Village Administrator Chris Swartz left to become the administrator of Shorewood. He came to Sussex in early 1990, just as the village was taking over the renovated Sussex Main Street School as its new Civic Center Hall.
The Lannon Land O’ Lakes baseball team defeated North Prairie, 19-3, in the grand championship playoffs.
Pages from the Past September 9, 2009
100 years ago – 1909
Lannon residents Art and Frances Flanagan attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the fall.
The Lannon Hotel, owned by Otto Roebel, was taken over by John Thiery.
W. H. Connell put up a large silo on County Line Road near Colgate.
Herman Joecks of Lannon put in a basement for his new home.
50 years ago – 1959
More than 150 children participated in the season-ending Sussex playground program parade. John Plese tied for third place in costumes.
The Lannon VFW had a parade and picnic to honor area veterans.
Keith Gissal of Lannon and his wife, June, attend the Spearfish, S.D., Passion play while camping in the Black Hills.
25 years ago – 1984
George Kaestner, chief of the Sussex Fire Department, took on eight new recruits, including Jeff Weber.
The WIAA finally set the new realignment; Hamilton High School, at 1,250 students, ranked as the smallest of eight high schools in the Waukesha County Athletic Conference. Six of the eight schools had more than 1,500 students.
10 years ago – 1999
Templeton Middle School dedicated its new $4.9 million addition, which added 17,000 square feet.
Lisbon Town Chairman Jerry Schmitz began the process to get village status for the town.
5 years ago – 2004
Megan Kula was hired as the new recreation chief for Sussex. She replaced Tammy Rocker.
Hamilton High School, under first-year coach John Damato, won its first game of the season, 27-0, over Waukesha North High School. Jeremy Duell scored 15 points in the victory on two touchdowns and three extra points.
Pages from the Past September 16, 2009
100 years ago – 1909
Lannon depot agent G.J. Loos was handling a lot of shipping of gravel from local quarries to Milwaukee on the Bug Line.
Lannon general store proprietor Frank Schroeder caught a fine string of fish at Bark Lake.
Charles Will of North Lisbon’s Watson and Will Hostein-Friesian Stock Farm was enthusiastic over the possible Milwaukee Electric Railroad coming through North Lisbon near his farm.
50 years ago – 1959
The local newspaper advertised that one could rent a moving truck for $1.50 for the first hour and $1 for each additional hour, plus 10 cents a mile, at Semon’s in Menomonee Falls.
Dwight D. Eisenhower remained president of the United States, but he was in his final two years.
25 years ago – 1984
A disgruntled Lisbon supervisor, Gus Sandroni, claimed that Art Manke’s 3-2 win to be a member of the Lisbon Town Board was orchestrated by farmer Bob Fryda.
Waukesha Avenue north of Main Street was closed down for 120 days for reconstruction.
The Rev. Ray Wreford became the new minister leader of Sussex Methodist Church.
10 years ago – 1999
Donna and Bob Zimmerman of Good Hope Road in Lisbon were honored for being on a Century Farm in Wisconsin, which means their farm was continuously owned by extended family for 100 years.
A study showed that basketball had more injuries per participant than football by a wide margin.
5 years ago – 2004
The Sussex Lisbon Area Historical Society had an official grand opening, with Village President Michael Knapp presenting the society/museum with the key to the village.
There was a WIAA move to have Hamilton High School switch to the Little 10 conference, with Hartford going to the Great Metro Conference.
Pages from the Past September 23, 2009
100 years ago – 1909
Diphtheria broke out in the City of Waukesha.
Two young children died in Waukesha as a result of ptomaine poisoning.
I. B. Rowell Co., a foundry in Menomonee Falls, sold bottom-riding plows.
50 years ago – 1959
Lannon (15-6) and Sussex (14-7) finished second and third in the Land O’ Lakes baseball division race.
In ladies fashion, a Playtex girdle was a must-have undergarment. Regular cost was $8.95, but bargain costs went down to $6.95.
Mrs. Edwin Trapp was the president of the Lisbon-Sussex Sixteen Homemakers Club (Sixteen referred to the Lisbon “Sixteen” school area).
25 years ago – 1984
St. Alban’s staged its second annual arts and crafts outdoor show.
The Sussex VFW staged a huge flea market in their parking lot.
Sussex purchased the former Herb Beier garage on the southeast corner of Main and Waukesha and had it demolished.
10 years ago – 1999
Dan Bretl was the starting quarterback of the Hamilton High School football team.
Sussex staged a big Main Street and Civic Center 75th anniversary party of the village’s incorporation on Saturday, Sept. 18.
Dave Wnuk was named MVP for the Land O’ Lakes Western Division after hitting 20 home runs.
5 years ago – 2004
Construction began on a remodeled and new Faith Lutheran Church on Weaver Drive.
Francis “Murphy” Haasch died at age 72. He fought in the Korean War and he was a lifelong resident of Sussex, serving as a director of the Sussex Historical Society at the time of his death.
Pages from the Past September 30, 2009
100 years ago – 1909
The Northwestern Railroad going through Sussex advertised “Homeseekers Excursions” for people looking for cheap land in the Dakotas and Montana.
An advertisement offered to replace a windmill-driven water pump with a Henry Esser gasoline pumping engine for $37.50.
50 years ago – 1959
The new Sussex village subdivision ordinance required that new subdivisions put in water, sewer and road facilities before they could sell a lot.
The annual blessing for the children for ages 4 and younger was held at St. James, with 50 children attending and the Rev. Francis Finnegan officiating.
25 years ago – 1984
Quad/Graphics moved its main office to the Sussex plant.
St. Columbo staged its 7th annual flea market at Highways Q and J.
Sussex Lumber became the Sussex Do-it-Center. The lumberyard was 98 years old.
10 years ago – 1999
In final negotiations, Jack Nefstead, 53, who pleaded guilty to theft from the Sussex Softball Association, agreed to repay $11,900. The first two payments of $200 per month arrived.
5 years ago – 2004
Hamilton fought to move to the Little Ten conference. It wanted to remain in the Great Metro Conference where it was the smallest school. Travel expense was the stated reason.