Name/Title
History, The Life and the history of UtleyScope and Content
History, Utley
effigy mounds near Utley igneous rock formation seeking artifact left by the Indian.
When the White man began to build connecting links between cities, he sought materials to improve muddy road surfaces. WisConsin's numerous granite quarries became the goal of the skilled rock cutters from Scotland and Wales. They were hired to cut Utley. paving blocks for streets in cities such as Chicago and Cleveland.
Marksan's Jim Denzmoor took specimens from the Pine Bluff quarry to officials of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul rail line. He sold the firm on the idea of building a 12 mile spur' from Brandon to markesan. After 10.months of construction, the first train arrived in Markesan Dec. 22, l802.
The Jan. 4, 1883, issue of The Markesan Democrat reported Utley was the name given to the quarry stop. It was "so called in honor of Charles Utley, assistant superintendent of that division" during the tire of the rail construction.
Two months later Mr. Densmoor, nicknamed. Big Jim for his 6 " 7height and huge 250 pound frame, submitted in application for the establishment of a U.S. Post Offices. The request was granted July 9.1885 with Fig Jim serving us the first of three postmasters. service was moved Nov. 30,19O41, to Markesan.
The Post Office was located in a corner of the General Store, a two story building with a dance hall on the upper level. The village had a one-room school, a depot, several duplex homes, two three-story hotels or boarding houses, a meat market, several blacksmith shop, a large rock prushing facility and a water reservoir on one of the highest quarry points. The village grew
Were credited to the Black glove group reportedly living at Utely.The outbreak of the first world war prompted many to return to their native land.
The last use of the Utley rock come in the early 1930's as slab of the rock were taken to Chicago to fill in an area west of the Field Museum for the century of progress other slabs were used
as breakwater in Chicago and Milwaukee.
Following the demise of the crushing industry in Utley the building were sold and the lumber was used to build cottages around little Green Lake or homes in Fair water.
Recreation for the workmen was limited to drinking horse racing and baseball many former resident could recall the worker's carrying kegs of beer to the village from Fair water as authorities did not permit the construction of a pub in the village. A race track built north
of the rail road provided many hours of relaxation. An item in the markesan paper told
baseball gone between markesan and Utley but the next issue was missing from the files so the
outcome will always be in doubt. Although nearly all of the village's structures have been remove Utely will never die. In this section of Green Lake county one will continue to fine an ongoing form on life which will connect the early creation of Wisconsin one billion years ago with today
By—John O. Kirkpatrick
2437 E. Mifflin
Madison WI 53704
Important Events Concerning UTLEY, WISCONSIN
1 Billion Years Ago---8 separate lava flows spilled onto the earth's crust in what was later to be known as the village of Utley, Green Lake county, Wisconsin.
Dec. 29, 1882—First train to travel the 12 mile spur line of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad from Brandon, past Utley to Markesan.
Jan. 5, 1883—Grand Opening celebration which honored James Densmoor for rail company selling the on the need to build the rail line.
July 9, 1883---Utley postoffice given Federal approval with Jim Densmoor as the first postmaster.
Feb. 7, 1884—Chicago Judge buys quarry from Densmoor
March 17, 1884—John D. Sherwood becomes second postmaster
Four double cottages to be built in Utley during the coming spring.
• Telephone line to be put into Utley
April, 1884-22 ton steam crusher being installed at the quarry
1886-7-Stone polisher installed at quarry
Sept. 30, 1902---Florence H. Smith named third postmaster at Utley
Nov. 30, 1904—Utley postoffice discontinued
1933---Chicago Century of Progress. Slabs of Utley rock were hauled to an area West of the. Field museum as fill. This was the last major use of the Utley rock.
May 21, 1978---Dedication of a marker at Utley.Acquisition
Accession
2015.0500Source or Donor
Waupun Heritage MuseumAcquisition Method
Donation
