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John Sumwalt, middle, poses with Dennis and Sharon Schrimpf at Trinity United Methodist Church in Montello, Wisconsin. Dennis Schrimpf previously sold Sumwalt his beloved Chevy S-10 pickup.
The Montello Theater is more than 160 years old. Built before 1878, the Opera House or Dodge’s Opera House as it's often referred to, was the hub of social activity, according to the theater's website. The top floor had balcony seats. Dances, visiting theater groups and medicine shows were the entertainment of the day. Later a three-piece orchestra or a piano player accompanied the silent movies. Visit montellotheater.com for more information.
John and Jo Sumwalt's daughter Kati begins her education at the Forest Lane Elementary School in Montello, Wisconsin. They say she loved her kindergarten teacher, Miss Henke.
Jo Sumwalt operates the Montello Care Center Beauty Salon for several years.
A Montello High School is built in 1881 but it burned in 1895. Another was built in 1896 but burned in 1926. Visit muirboyhoodhome.stqry.app/story/189628 for lots of Montello history and photos.
A view of the Montello granite quarry includes Montello Lake in the background. The sign in the foreground reads, 'J.T. Barrett Pays Highest Prices for Furs, Montello.' Photo is dated 1908; photographer is Edward A Bass.
Charles Richter, second from left, poses in front of a building at the top of the Montello granite quarry. His wife stands at the front of the group, wearing a dark blouse and skirt. The other people are unidentified, but two of the girls are likely the Richters' daughters, Ethel May and Blanche. A small cart, a portion of the derrick and quarry buildings are in the background. The message reads, 'Montello, July 17. Dear Helen. Been getting along all right but slowly, current is swift & river bends all over. There are 8 locks besides. Alfred.' The card was sent by Alfred T. Flint (1890-1949) of Madison to his sister Helen. The son of Albert S. and Helen Flint, Alfred Flint was later a Harvard-trained attorney. The river referred to in the message is the Fox River. Caption reads, 'Montello Granite Co's Works, Montello, Wis.' Date of photo is 1908; photographer is Lucy A Kaufmann.
Bird's-eye view of Montello, county seat of Wisconsin's Marquette County, is depicted in 1883. The granite quarry, woolen mill and planing mill are clearly identified. A steamboat on Buffalo Lake approaches the Fox River lock. Montello Lake, identified as the mill pond, is in the background.
Montello Convalescent Home closes in the spring of 1980. The 18 residents at the home needed to find new places to stay.
Fran Bruer, owner of the Montello Convalescent Home, works hard in 1980 when the home closes to find new homes for the residents.
Editor's note: The first part of this article was published in the April 16 issue of Agri--View.
John Sumwalt
John Sumwalt is a retired pastor and the son of dairy farmers. He is the author of “Shining Moments: Visions of the Holy in Ordinary Lives.” Email johnsumwalt@gmail.com or call 414-339-0676 to reach him, or write to W172 N7735, #932, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.
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MONTELLO, Wis. – They say you can’t go home again. But we did.
The Montello Theater is more than 160 years old. Built before 1878, the Opera House or Dodge’s Opera House as it's often referred to, was the hub of social activity, according to the theater's website. The top floor had balcony seats. Dances, visiting theater groups and medicine shows were the entertainment of the day. Later a three-piece orchestra or a piano player accompanied the silent movies. Visit montellotheater.com for more information.
A view of the Montello granite quarry includes Montello Lake in the background. The sign in the foreground reads, 'J.T. Barrett Pays Highest Prices for Furs, Montello.' Photo is dated 1908; photographer is Edward A Bass.
Charles Richter, second from left, poses in front of a building at the top of the Montello granite quarry. His wife stands at the front of the group, wearing a dark blouse and skirt. The other people are unidentified, but two of the girls are likely the Richters' daughters, Ethel May and Blanche. A small cart, a portion of the derrick and quarry buildings are in the background. The message reads, 'Montello, July 17. Dear Helen. Been getting along all right but slowly, current is swift & river bends all over. There are 8 locks besides. Alfred.' The card was sent by Alfred T. Flint (1890-1949) of Madison to his sister Helen. The son of Albert S. and Helen Flint, Alfred Flint was later a Harvard-trained attorney. The river referred to in the message is the Fox River. Caption reads, 'Montello Granite Co's Works, Montello, Wis.' Date of photo is 1908; photographer is Lucy A Kaufmann.
Bird's-eye view of Montello, county seat of Wisconsin's Marquette County, is depicted in 1883. The granite quarry, woolen mill and planing mill are clearly identified. A steamboat on Buffalo Lake approaches the Fox River lock. Montello Lake, identified as the mill pond, is in the background.
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