ABBY AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY

From 1899 to 1909, 12 passenger trains a day passed through Abbotsford.

A mere one hundred years ago a little village nicknamed Abby (for Abbotsford) was a thriving railroad town. It’s called Wisconsin’s First City because of its top spot in the listing of Wisconsin cities. It’s my hometown and I still have fond memories of growing up there.

The town was named after Edwin Abbot, who was born in 1834 and became director of the Wisconsin Central Railroad.  He came to Milwaukee from Boston, where he practiced law after graduating from Harvard.

In the Abbotsford Clarion newspaper from September, 1911 Abbotsford was described this way:

“It is a village of wide, well laid out clean streets, splendid shade trees and as beautiful homes as can be found in any village, town, or city in the state of Wisconsin.  It has pure water and a climate that is a joy to live in.  Its people are cordial and always ready to extend a welcome to any strangers that come within its borders.  Any man with reasonable thrift and economy can own a comfortable home in Abbotsford with a large lot giving plenty of room for a garden and a playground for the children.  This is better than living in a crowded city where rents are high and nobody knows or cares who his next door neighbor is.” 

A special lady, my Aunt Ellen

Abbotsford had its own high school of 60 students in 1911.  Its eleven graduates of 1911 were offered more language choices (Latin, German, and English) than my own class of 1966.  Those four teachers must have had a rigid curriculum.  My Aunt Ellen spent part of her early years in that school system.  She later became an exceptional elementary school teacher for over forty-five years.

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In tribute to that unique little town at the turn of the century, I've included some memorable photos, the latter two of the 1920's main street and the old armory.

My grandchildren like to tease me that I've been around since the turn of the century.  Maybe in some ways I have!