Here comes another history post!
Mineral Point is undergoing a huge downtown reconstruction project this year (2023) and I wanted to create something to mark the occasion. So for the spring edition of the Mineral Point Historical Society biannual newsletter, I wrote another article about Mineral Point with a specific focus on the downtown district throughout years – going decade by decade.
I interviewed nine local people and spent time compiling some of their tales, memories, and tidbits into a story. I wanted the article to have a permanent spot on the internet so I am leaving it here. Please enjoy!
ps – if you’d like to become a supporter/subscriber to the Mineral Point Historical Society and receive their paper newsletters, please sign up here.
Downtown: Past Times & Pastimes
We’ve all heard the news… Mineral Point is getting a makeover! The “Historic Downtown Reconstruction Project” has been on the minds of Mineral Point residents and business owners for several years and this year, 2023, will see the project underway. Work has already begun and it’s estimated downtown will be to torn up in phases until late fall. Everything from new water and sewer underneath the streets to new sidewalks, street coverings, and light poles up top.
During a project such as this, with the impact and magnitude of this size, it’s a time to reflect on what was, what is, and start dreaming of what’s to come. Going decade by decade, I chatted with a several local people about downtown Mineral Point. We discussed the details of downtown life and they fondly shared a few stories and tidbits.
Downtown Mineral Point has seen a lot throughout its history and this year will be no different. Looking back through the decades one thing has become very clear – there’s a lot of hometown pride here. People have truly loved and cherished the downtown over the years. I’m happy to share a few of their stories and memories here.
1940-1949
I started my interviews with Lucille May and asked her a few questions pertaining specifically to the 1940s. Lucille was born in Mineral Point and graduated high school here in 1946. She mentioned several things that piqued my interest.
“There were a lot of businesses downtown back then, not only on street level but upstairs too. There weren’t really apartments upstairs then but rather doctors offices, dentists, lawyers offices, and even beauty salons. There were also a lot of dance halls upstairs. One of the dance halls was downstairs too, in the basement of The Spa.” The Spa (a restaurant) was located at 158 High Street (currently Red Rooster Cafe). “I was allowed to go dancing at The Spa because there wasn’t a tavern there. Mother wouldn’t let me go to the dance halls located in buildings with taverns. I also enjoyed Chalet on Fountain Street for dancing and roller skating.”
Lucille shared that she had her first malt at The Spa. “I was a farm girl and I didn’t even know what a malt was. Mother took me to The Spa to have my first one. It was a special treat to try something new and have that experience with my mom, my brothers weren’t there.”
She mentioned buying school supplies at Wearing’s, shopping at numerous variety stores and grocery stores, and talked about the bank being a prominent feature on High Street. “George Tonkin was a cop in town back then. He was always standing outside the bank. That was his spot. He was always there, I don’t think I ever even saw him anywhere else. Mr. Basting, on the other hand, was the night cop. After nightfall you would often see him patrolling High Street on foot. I’m sure they must have had police cars back then but I never saw them. You would always just see the cops on foot.”
Lucille also recalled being especially fond of the many different parades downtown. “Homecoming was huge. All the classes made elaborate floats, even the boosters, home-ec classes, and different ag clubs. Everyone loved it. During those years, it was also active wartime. The legion hosted numerous parades for the soldiers returning home from war. Everyone would go downtown to watch the parades and welcome home the returning soldiers.”
1950-1959
To discuss the 1950s, I caught up with Mary Alice Moore. Mary was born in Mineral Point at “Rest Haven”, a small nursing facility on Maiden Street across from the old Grade School (now the School House Apartments). Mary’s father, Clarence Clark (known as “Slick” in Mineral Point), operated businesses on lower High Street across from the Royal Hotel from the early 1930s until 1986 – Slick’s Tavern & Bowling Alley and Slick’s Liquor Store (the building where Bobbi Jo’s Interiors is now).
What did people do on High Street during this time? “For sure the library and movies at the Point Theater for many of us! Thurs-Fri-Sat movies were usually double features, Sunday- Wednesday, a recently released movie. Most high schoolers preferred to sit in the balcony. Some other teen hangouts were “The Sweet Shoppe” for cherry cokes & phosphate sodas, “The Spot” for burgers and fries, and Fessenden’s Pool Hall for the guys. I enjoyed buying comic books there as a grade schooler and movie magazines when in junior high and high school.
My recollection of High Street is that it most often seemed busy and at times bustling with shoppers and activity. Stores and the bank would stay open Saturday nights until 9:00 (eventually was changed to Friday nights). This night would be an opportunity for farm families and townspeople to do their shopping and tend to other business and social matters. On nice summer evenings, folks, especially women (sometimes with young children), and men/ husbands, who did not care to take part in a little libation at one of the taverns, would sit in their cars with windows down or lean against a fender and wait for familiar faces strolling by or congregating on sidewalks to share some news and have a little chat. On these busy Saturday/ Friday nights, the street was often very noisy with cars honking, revved up motors, and the usual bantering back and forth from the young drivers.”
Mary also shared a memory of Dr. Homer Ludden Day. Dr. Ludden (step great uncle to Allen Ludden) was a beloved family physician and native of Mineral Point, who practiced for many years here. “It was the typical doctor days of yore – making house calls, his iconic black leather medicine bag always on his arm during any hour or the day or night.”
Mineral Point honored him with the tribute of a special celebration on the occasion of his retirement sometime in the mid to late 1950s. “If you were one of the hundreds of babies he had delivered, you would wear a ribbon stating “I was a Dr. Ludden Baby”. Lots of those “babies” walked in the parade and took part in the celebration in one way or the other. I was one of them!”
Although Mary covered the 1950s she also mentioned remembering JFK campaigning in Mineral Point for the upcoming presidential primary election in early 1960. “There was a meet and greet, and a speech at the theater. I still have a tie clasp that was handed out in the shape of the iconic PT Boat 109 of Kennedy fame!”
1960-1969
I met up with Jill Engels, a 5th generation Mineral Point native, to discuss downtown life in the 1960s. Jill’s dad owned Engels’ Shoe Store from roughly 1944 until 1984 and her grandpa owned and operated Engels’ Barber Shop from 1918 until 1973. Jill opened her first glass shop in her dad’s shoe repair building in 1985 and in 1989 she and her partner Chuck bought, renovated, and opened Sirius Sunlight at 218 High Street.
Jill said, “Dad’s shoe store had a cozy back room with a couch, a coffee pot and a selection of pottery mugs made by my mom. Lots of people stopped in to sit and visit. Harry Nohr, a very close friend, had his own designated cup. My brother got to shake the hand of JFK in that back room and I got to meet Bill Proxmire there. It seemed all of the local guys had nicknames.”
What are some of your fondest memories from downtown? “Maxwell Street Days! As a kid, it was second only to the County Fair for an anticipated chance to spend all our saved dollars. The whole downtown was blocked off and all the stores had sales set up right out in the street. Ivey’s had grab bags that were a fun gamble. Bobby May gave pony rides around a ring they had set up. The dime store would sell live creatures like turtles, painted giant snails, or lizards. My sister and I would also have our own stand selling things we made like Barbie hats and necklaces, clay medallions, wallpaper beads etc, then go spend it all. Dad had racks of shoes for $2, $5 and some work boots for $10.”
She went on to say, “Almost everything at that time was done on a first name basis. There were lots of bars! Our doctor and dentist both had offices on High Street. There were also clothing stores, hardwares, cafes, a butcher shop with sawdust on the floor, a couple of grocery stores and other barbers and shoe stores too. The bank and Power and Light were almost side by side. Parking meters came and went again. Though I wasn’t into it, aimlessly driving up and down High Street was a major pastime for teenagers with cars. It was paved. Not all streets in town were.”
1970-1979
To discuss the 1970s I met up with Mike Mitchell. The Mitchell family notably owned Mitchell Hardware on High Street for over 100 years, spanning three generations of Mitchells. It was opened by Clarence (Isabell) Mitchell in 1910. Clarence’s son, Bob (Ruth) Mitchell, took over in 1949 after Clarence’s death. In 1978, Mike, Bill, and Mark (three of Ruth and Bob’s children), took over ownership until it the business closed its doors in 2019.
I asked him what some of his favorite events and traditions were during the 1970s and hardly even a second passed as he was excitedly saying, “Shake Rag Players! I loved that. People made the costumes and stage decorations, and some of my best friends were in those performances year after year. We put on one performance every year. I also enjoyed The Pasty Ball, the traveling basketball and softball leagues, and we all loved to swim at the Mineral Point Pool.”
In 1977, Mineral Point celebrated its Sesquicentennial. There was a huge parade down High Street and thousands of people flocked downtown to see the festivities and share the special anniversary. Allen Ludden (born in Mineral Point, host of the TV game show Password) was the Parade Marshall.
During the sesquicentennial festivities Mike fondly remembers the “beard growing competition” he and many others took part in. The competition was to see who could grow the best (and worst) beards and there were prizes (and punishments) awarded to all the men based on beard growth. “All the merchants were supposed to grow a beard. I didn’t do a very good job and therefore my punishment was to walk in the parade wearing a wig, bra, and sash on my chest that read “Miss Rapid Shave”. Everyone had a lot of fun that day.”
1980-1989
Next, I talked with Carl Tunestam about the 1980s. Carl bought his first building here (248 High) in 1986 and started an antique store. Being a newcomer to Mineral Point in these years, I asked him what businesses downtown he frequented and what the vibe was like for him as someone new to town.
“For me, Ed’s Sweet Shoppe was so warm and welcoming. As “outsiders” to town, at the Sweet Shoppe, we were treated the same way any of the “locals” were treated. Eddie (“little Ed” Bendik) was kind and treated everyone, regardless of social standing, with love and respect. Everyone was welcome. There was an arcade in the back with pinball machines, small tables in front, an ice cream cooler ran along the back wall, and the front windows were filled with plants. I found myself there on a daily basis.
I also loved The General Store at the top of High Street (262 High) owned by Jim and Sue Okas. The General Store sold coffee and a few antiques. It was a great place to go to make small talk if you weren’t into the “bar scene”. If we were celebrating a special occasion or wanted a nice dinner, we would go to the Royal Inn. It was our “special meal” place. We were fond of the Royal Inn’s Mexican themed night when they served Mexican style cuisine and margaritas. The Sweet Shoppe, General Store, and the Royal were some of my favorite places to hang out.
One of my main takeaways from that 80s in downtown Mineral Point was that if you lived on High Street, you could get away with not having a car because everything you needed was there. You could buy your clothes, shoes, groceries, or meat from the deli. You could also find restaurants, doctors, dentists, and even do your banking.”
1990-1999
I popped by Berget Jewelers (opened May 1, 1990) to talk with Chris Phillipson about her experience as a new business owner and what some of the downtown events were during the 1990s.
“There were a lot of holiday events. We did the Christmas Cookie Walk, where guests would walk up and down High Street collecting cookies from different businesses to put in a holiday tin. The downtown retail committee organized a Christmas parade on High Street. We had floats, the fireman came, and Santa rode down the street in a Cadillac. Business owners wore Dickens themed dresses both in the parade and in their stores every day throughout December. Candlelight Shopping started in 1994.
There were lots of volunteer event planners, but Glenda Galle and Dorothy Noble, from High Street Fashions, were very active in downtown event planning back then. I also worked closely with Diana Johnston planning events during that time.”
2000-2009
Moving down a block to discuss the early 2000s, I asked Patti Mckinley (former owner of the Red Rooster Cafe) about some of her special memories. Patti said, “A special memory I have from 2007 is when Mineral Point was honored as one of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations. I recall that year was one of the busiest years since we opened our cafe. People from around the world came to visit and discover the beauty that Mineral Point had to offer.”
She noted, “Downtown has definitely evolved into a different atmosphere since I was born in 1953. When I was growing up, the buildings were occupied by essentially everything we needed to survive our daily lives. The only time we got in the car to go somewhere was to visit family. Today the downtown is a beautiful artist community and every building is unique and has a story. I am proud to call Mineral Point my home town.”
2010-2019
Next, I talked with twins, Joelle and Katie White, both of whom moved to Mineral Point in the mid to late twenty-teens. Both women knew and worked with the late Bruce Howdle, who was often times seen on and around High and Commerce Streets joking around with friends, neighbors, and guests to town.
Joelle and Katie expressed their love of Mineral Point and shared a fun downtown tradition they had during that time, “Whiskey Wednesday”. Katie said, “On Wednesdays, we would have a sip of whiskey in the basement studio before going out to eat at one of the local restaurants in town.”
As newcomers to Mineral Point during this time, they both recalled enjoying “Friday night music at Gray Dog, music and shows at Mineral Point Opera House, and Gallery Nights. The
shop owners would often gather at the L&L Public House or Tequila Point afterwards.” Joelle mentioned that to her, “High Street has always felt friendly and unique. Everywhere I go, I see familiar faces.”
2020-2023
Lastly, I spoke with Keith Burrows about downtown life in the present decade. We discussed the pandemic in 2020. We talked about current times (he’s in the process of opening up a new bookstore on High Street). And he shared an excitement about looking to the future of what Mineral Point may look and feel like in the decades to come.
Keith said, “We moved to High Street in 2017 and I was so excited to be able to walk to things. I’d count out the steps: 264 steps to the Post Office, 142 steps to Cafe 43, and 27 steps to the Opera House. During Covid, it was eerie at times seeing all the closed restaurants and shops but, in a way, since people were more comfortable outside it brought some activity out of the buildings onto the street itself, which was nice.”
“I try to take a walk up and down the street every day. It’s a great street for what the Italians call passeggiata – a leisurely stroll with lots of stopping to talk. High Street is a special street. The architecture, the density, and the vibe set it apart from other small town downtowns and make it Mineral Point’s biggest asset. It’s like a block of a big city dropped into the beautiful countryside. The best of both worlds.”
As far as looking to the future, Keith said, “It feels like we are on the cusp of a lot of change. But change is good. I’m really excited for the next few years. It’s time for a new generation of eccentrics and weirdos to make their mark.”
Personally, I couldn’t think of a better way to conclude the stories in this article than that remark. Mineral Point is a wonderful place filled with rich history, eccentric personalities, and the fascinating stories of all the many people who’ve lived here over the years – either for a day or for a lifetime. This year, 2023, is shaping up to be a big year of change. Here’s to remembering the past, cherishing the present, and looking to the future for the many generations of Pointers to come!