News From This Week’s Past: Sturgeon Bay Booms, Freak Calf

All items are from the Door County Library’s newspaper archives, and they appear in the same form as they were first published, including misspellings and grammatical errors.

The Expositor

April 30, 1875

The County Board ordered the committee on buildings to advertise for proposals to construct a fire proof building for county offices, to be 44 by 44, with square roof and cupola on the top, proposals to be opened and considered at the next meeting of the Board.

The Independent

May 3, 1889

This city appears to be experiencing a quiet but very decided “boom,” certain tracts of real estate having recently advanced in value to a remarkable figure. A committee consisting of mayor George Nelson and aldermen L. M. Washburn and Eli A. Thompson was lately appointed by the council to negotiate for the purchase of three lots on the corner of Court and Spruce streets, the intention being to remove thereto the city hall and engine house. One of the lots is owned by Joseph Heldmann, who offered it last year for $300. Mr. Heldmann now asks $500 for the property. The other two lots are owned by M. Cochems, who paid $340 for them last winter. His price now is $650, which would make the three lots cost the city $1,150, or nearly double what they were worth one year ago. The committee is of opinion that this boom in real estate is not warranted by the situation and has reported unfavorably regarding their purchase. Unless property takes a decided tumble the city buildings will remain where they now are for the present.

Door County Democrat

April 28, 1900

The city is about to purchase another team of horses, a committee having the matter in hand now and will do so as soon as a team of suitable animals can be found. Stabling quarters for them have been prepared in the old city jail building and will answer the purpose for some time. There will then always be at least one team available for street work without crippling the fire department in case of an alarm while the team is any distance from the engine house. The new team will also draw the hose cart at fires.

Door County Democrat

May 2, 1908

During the gale of wind Sunday night a large section of the west wall of the burned high school building was blown down. The wall was inspected last week by the architect and declared good enough to stand as part of the proposed new building, and its destruction represents a considerable a considerable loss to the city. A part of the north wall and the chimney are still left standing. Some damage was done to the business houses along the west side of Cedar street by rain beating in through the front windows, and the iron roof of the railroad roundhouse was partly torn off. It was the worst storm experienced this far this season.

Door County News

May 1, 1919

GETS BIG CONTRACT

Universal Shipbuilding Com-Pany Have Been Awarded Constructionof Two Ships.

The Universal Shipbuilding company of this city has been awarded contracts for the construction of two large steel ships.

The boats are to be 250 feet in length, 42 feet beam and 19 feet in depth of hold and entirely of steel. The ships are to be equipped with semi-Diesel engines and are what is known as “steel motor ships.”

They are to be used in the mahogany timber trade between New York and South Africa when placed in commission.

The securing of hse large contracts assures busy times at the yeards of the Universal company for the next year or more. While it is expected that a number of expert steel construction men will be added to the present force, the men who are now employed will be worked into that class of construction.

It is not the intention of the Universal company to get out of wood construction by any means. The yards will continue to do repair work and dockings just the same as heretofore and will build wooden boats if they are wanted.

The departure from wooden to steel construction has been taken because of the larger demand for the latter type of boats. It is what is going to make the local yard a permanent institution.

Door County News

May 3, 1928

Freak Calf Does Not Mind Joke Played By Nature

FORESTVILLE – A heifer calf born at the Fred Krueger farm on Saturday, April 21, has been the subject of much commentand considerable interest during the past two weeks.

Although born with six legs, three ears and two heads it does not seem to mind its peculiarities and romps around the barn in a most playful manner. The mother of the calf is a cross between a Guernsey and Holstein and the new born calf is the second of the family, the first calf being normal in every respect.

Door County News

April 29, 1937

Work Starts on “Dago’s New Paradise”

Minor Dagneau, popular owner of TheMill, and his genial wife see their long-cherished plans materialize as actual work started on an extensive enlargement and modernization of their well-known establishment.

William Berhnhard, Ephraim architect, has been retained to design, plan and supervise the new additions. His plans call for a new building 75 feet long 27 feet wide with two projecting bays, one to serve as an entrance and the other as an alcove extension to the new, large dining room where famous fried chicken will fly straight into our mouth, there to melt like new fallen snow.

Adjoining the spacious dining room, the design calls for a new bar and back bar 40 feet long, thus making it one of the longest in the county. Subdued, mellow terrazzo floors with comfortable foot rests for the guests, subdued ceiling illumination concealed behind exotically patterned ribbed plato glass, with entire walls done in intrically devised western pine paneling following the quaint atmosphere of our colonial ancestors who knew the art of creating charming interiors with natural wood and hand-hammered hardware.

Construction has already begun. It is in the hands of Kay Hansen of Sturgeon Bay, who is employing nothing but local labor and all material is being purchased through local yards. The principal contracts will be completed by Memorial Day.