Burlington Historical Society Museum

06/17/2026

A "Then & Now" view of the building at the northwesterly corner of Milwaukee Ave. and W. Chestnut St.

Bigelow Refrigeration moved into the building about 1946 and remained there until Mays Realty moved their office there in 1979.

That small addition on the side of the building was formerly a lunch counter called the Old Town Pump.

Johnson Bank renovated the building and occupied it in 2005.

The first photo was taken in 1968.

06/16/2026

In 1984, The First Bank Southeast opened a branch bank at 1709 S. Teut Road at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue.

That property is now the small shops group that includes Great Clips and Papa Murphy's.

06/15/2026

Conrad Waldvogel had his Emporium Restaurant at 525 Milwaukee Ave. in the building that was later occupied by Kelly & Richter Law Offices (just east of the former Harmony Bar).

He stands behind the counter at left in his tile floored, wallpapered dining area in this photo from about 1910.

06/14/2026

The New York Yankees took over the Browns Lake Resort in October of 1957 where they headquartered during their World Series games with the Milwaukee Braves.

The Burlington History Museum has many photos in its archives of the activities that took place during those days at the lake.

Included here is some "pier action" with some players trying to catch a fish for their evening meal.

06/12/2026

A parade without spectators -

St. Mary's 1956 band appears to be marching up the hill on Chandler Boulevard on a "practice march".

Were you in a band?

06/12/2026

What team were you on?

This Raettig news clip photo from 1957 shows local bowlers "Corbett, Piper, Dettman, Steffen and McCarthy ready to keep their first place standing at the Palace Lanes on Pine Street.

06/11/2026

A few photos of the 1953 County Fair in which we see Walt Uebele, present day owner of the Burlington Garden Center showing one his prize sheep.

The 3rd photo has a caption "Calkins-Uebele" with some rabbits and chickens at the Ful-O-Pep booth.

06/09/2026

06/09/2026

These 2 photos pertain to the Milwaukee electric rail service that came to Burlington in 1909. The tracks ran along what is now STH 36 between Milwaukee and Burlington.

Service ended in the 1930's.

The first photo shows the new terminal building built by the Wisconsin Gas & Electric Co. in 1926 which is now occupied by Low Daily brewery on N. Pine St.

The second photo, taken in 1938, shows the electric line tracks that crossed over the White River near what is now the Veterans Terrace building.

The Soo Line tracks, behind present day Fred's Parkview, are in the foreground in this easterly view.

In the distant background is the area just behind the present day Adrian's Custard stand.

You will notice that at the time, there were still some houses in the present day Echo Park area as shown at left.

06/08/2026

This photo is included in an historic railroad themed collection donated to the Burlington History Museum by late Burlington resident Richard Heiderman.

This collection includes many historic photos of trains and equipment of the 2 railroads that came through the city in the past.

Here is the front and back side of one of his photos that shows the "Superintendent's Inspection Car" taken in 1941.

In the background at left is Echo Lake.

More of these great photos to follow in future posts.