A HOME FOR JHS!
It has been a historical year for the Jacksonport Historical Society!!! The big news is the purchase of land for our long awaited vision of having land on which we can build a museum to keep and protect the history of Jacksonport. In early summer we had the opportunity to purchase 4.3 acres of land on the south edge of Jacksonport on Wisconsin Highway 57. After much consideration and negotiation the Board of Directors decided it was too good an opportunity not to pursue. So on October 31, 2008 the Jacksonport Historical Society became the proud owners of this fantastic historical piece of property. As to the history of this property, it was originally owned by Joseph and Margaret Smith in 1872. On this property, they built a large home which was a gathering place where many parties for cousins, friends and community members were held. Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the 4th of July were special holidays at the Smiths, “Aunt Maggie” always served and ample meal. All the children looked forward to sliding down the long banister in their home. Joseph Smith was a dealer in cedar logs and posts in Wisconsin. It is said that he shipped more cedar logs and posts to Chicago than any other person on the Great Lakes. This feat earned him the title “Cedar King.”
Our goal for this property is to develop a place for the community to gather and to be able to experience first hand the history of the township of Jacksonport through hands on experiences, activities, and educational displays. Kevin and Debbie Magno, son and daughter-in-law of Marlene(Cote) and Napoleon Magno have donated a log cabin which is located on the west side of County A just north of County V formerly on the property of long time residents Joe and Lou Cote. We will be moving this cabin to our new property. The Cote property was originally owned by Charles and Mary Reynolds in 1885. In 1933 the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac purchased 60 acres from the Reynolds to build their vicarage, guild hall, and church. In 1935 Joe and Lena Urban purchased the piece of land where the log cabin is located. When the vicarage and guild hall burned in 1936 there is reference to “Father Hood now being comfortably housed in the Urban cottage nearby.” Historically this is the first reference we have to this cabin. In 1943 the Urbans sold this property to Joe and Lou Cote and then in 1989 Kevin, Joe and Lou’s grandson purchased the property from them.