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History of Valders, Wisconsin

Valders, Valders, Who Are We? 100 Years of History


Valders is a community of about 1,000 residents. Valders can trace its name and heritage to Norwegian immigrants who settled in Manitowoc County in the 1840's. About the time Wisconsin was becoming a state, many settlers arrived here from the Valders area of Norway. It is recorded that the first settler in the present area in 1848 was Ole Evensen and family. The community might not exist today in its present form had it not been for the railroad. Valders did not begin to come together as a community until almost the turn of the century. At that time, Clarks Mills to the north was a thriving town.

Thorstein Veblen, perhaps the most famous native son of the Valders area was born 1/2 mile north of Valders on July 30, 1857. He was considered one of the geat economists of the 19th century, publishing numerous books and articles. A memorial to Veblen stands in Veterans Memorial Park.

Construction of the railroad tracks began in early 1894. By 1985 the train service was available to Valders. During construction of the railroad depot, the name of the town became known as Valders. At this time, three families owned the land surrounding the new community: K.K. Robley, Christopher Evenson and Mr. Boynton. The home of these three families were the only buildings of the area at that time. However, in the spring of 1897, Joseph Zipperer built the Central Hotel, which formally was occupied by Mr. Lucky's tavern, which in recent years was destroyed by a fire. The same year, Otto G. Berge bought a lot from Mr. Boynton and began construction of the Valders Hotel, which today is know as the Willows.

Other industries and businesses began to spring up after the first few settlements were made. These included: In 1898 the first undertaking parlor, operated by Otto Berge and Knute Sebo; In 1899 the Valders Meat Market, today known a Griffin's Fresh Meats; Valders Elevator in 1904 and Jerpen-Valders Telephone Co. and Valders Lime & Stone Co.in 1905. Christel and Luelllof Grocery Store opened in 1907; and a general merchandise store was opened in 1900. Electricity was first supplied to Valders and Clarks Mills in 1908 - Five cusstomers, - four businesses and a farm were hooked up for service when the switch was thrown on December 19 of that year.

The Valders State Bank was organized in 1911 with Joseph Rappel, Sever Thompson, Louis Horstman and Otto G. Berge as stockholders. The actual bank came about a year later on McKinley Street, and in 1961 construction started on a new building at the corner of Lincoln Street and Calumet Drive. The old bank building served as a dental office, first for Dr. Howard Zirwes and for Dr. Thomas Peterson before he moved to a new building. In the early 1900s various businesses operated in the community including a Ford automobile dealership, a canning company, and a condensed milk company processing plant..

Valders was incorporated as a village in late 1919, and the first election was held on Jan.13, 1920. At that time William F. Christel was chosen president and six other men served as trustees.

The Valders volunteer fire Department was organized in 1918 with Arthur Thiel as chief. The first truck was purchased in 1921 at a cost of $4,200. The department has since grown to a three-truck, 30-man organization with all modern equipment. The village is also served by a police department and ambulance service.

Public education came to Valders in 1906 when a two story frame building ws constructed for $2,500 on top of the hill on the north side of the town. Viola Sullivan became the first principal here in 1910 when enrollment totaled 78 pupils through the eigth grade. A four year high school was established after a two story brick building on Jefferson Street was completed in 1922. L.M. Adams was principal at the time and seven teachers were on the staff. The first high school class graduated in 1924. C.E. Brey became principal in the fall of 1924, and he remained in that position for 37 years. Several building projects have been complete in the years since: a gymnasium in 1940, vocational agriculture shop in 1944, an addition to the high school in 1958, a more extensive addition in 1964, a swimming pool in 1965, a new junior high school wing in 1967-68 and a new elementary school in 1973. The schools are currently undergoing an expansion project to add space to the middle school/high school complex and the elementary school. The district currently has approximately 1100 students and 95 certified teachers.