Name/Title
Waupun Chamber of CommerceScope and Content
Historical information on Waupun Chamber of Commerce for 1976 Bicentennial Celebration in Waupun, WI
*NOTE: Spelling errors are left just as originally typed.
WAUPUN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HISTORY
The Waupun Chamber of Commerce was organized in March 1948, and has provided 28 years of service to our Community. The Chamber of Commerce movement in the U.S. is more than 200 years old. The first one in our country was formed in New 'York in 1768. The first Chamber on record existed in Mesopotomia about 4000 B. C.
In March 1948, Secretary of State Fred R. Zimmerman issued a Corporate Charter under state law to Waupun for a new industrial and civic promotional organization.
The Charter declared that the purpose of it is to be for "advancing the commercial, industrial, agricultural, educational, and civic interests of the community and vicinity". The persons forming the Corporation were listed as John De Hartog, Jr., Paul W. Moldenhauer, Charles M. Johnson, E. E. Bublitz and Robert J. Herdrich.
After the Charter was granted the Corporation haeld an organizational meeting at the Hotel Waupun. It was decided to hold monthly meetings. Jim G. Kastein, John De Hartog, Jr., William Vande Zande, W. G. Glascoff, H. L. Beyers, George Stoddart and Dr. W. S. Amthor were named to the Board of Directors at the April meeting. The Constitution was adopted by 55 persons and the directors were elected for a 2 year term.
Waupun already had a Booster Club, so with the new organization, it became necessary to decide whether the Booster Club should disband and let the new organization take over - or should the City promote two of them. The newly elected Directors felt that Waupun should have one good sized organization and it would accomplish more than two small clubs; therefore, they would all join the new Corporation. After much discussion the Waupun Chamber of Commerce was chosen as the official name. Mr. H. M. Larsen, former Booster Club secretary became the first Executive Secretary of the Chamber. William Vande Zande was elected the first president and he named Louis Olson as chairman of the first membership drive.
One of the first important projects was a hospital for Waupun, the closest ones being in Fond du Lac or Beaver Dam. Through much community cooperation and contributions a 100 bed hospital, the Waupun Memorial Hospital, was opened in 1951.
Even at that time there were discussions about attracting more factories to our City. The Bear Brand Hosiery moved to Gary, Indiana, and the Ideal Shoe Factory came here from Milwaukee. There always was discussion about the improvement of our Main Street, remodeling of store fronts and parking facilities for our customers. The Industrial Development Committee started as part of the Chamber and has been instrumental in bring several new factories to town.
The Chamber Office handles all the correspondence of inquiries about the City, industries, recreation, schools, and in the later years, the Horicon Marsh has become a very popular tourist attraction. People come from many states to see the migration of the Canada Geese. The End of the Trail Statue located in Shaler Park since 1929, is another popular attraction. Waupun has many fire sculptures, and the Recording Angel, located in Forest Mound Cemetery, was recently registered as a National Landmark. The Dahl residence on Beaver Dam Street, now owned by Mr. & Mrs. Jim Laird, is also a National Registered Historical Landmark.
The Chamber works closely with the City Council and tries to help with beautification projects, legislative actions and awards annual Mother and Father of the Year plaques and the Community Service Award.
The Retail Committee of the Chamber plans the promotions, such as Christmas Spring & Easter Opening, Midnite Madness, Dog Day, etc., in which many merchants participate. The annual festival, Trail Days, was originally a Chamber project.
The By-Laws have been up-dated to include 12 directors on the board and they are elected for a 4-year term. The term having been extended from two years to give the Directors more working time. Mr. Larsen, was the first Executive Secretary; John De Hartog, Jr., second; Glen Wilson, third; Mrs. Victor Wilson, fourth; and Mrs. Russell Gerritson has held that position for the past nine years.
The president of the board is elected for one year and he usually works up through the ranks of the Directors. The president appoints the Retail Chairman and the other Committee Chairmen. The funds for the working capital of the Chamber are raised through membership dues.Acquisition
Accession
2016.0075Source or Donor
Waupun Area Chamber of CommerceAcquisition Method
Donation
