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Depot history 1909 - 1919 , 1920 - 1975, 1976 - 2001, 2001 - Present, Miscellaneous Photos
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Depot History by Mike Reilly, 4/28/03, updated 12/27/2005 The Depot history continues from the 1920's to the present. |
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1920's - water tower and pump house (right) with Lingelbach's hill in background. Persons unknown. |
This photo probably taken same time, note individuals - shows outhouse to west of depot. |
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This 1920's picture of the Chicago & North Western depot in the Town of Lisbon (now the Village of Sussex) is perhaps the earliest known photographic depiction. Pictured is (left) Otho Noble and an unidentified "gandy dancer" astride a hand pumped section crew cart. This photo appeared in a Fred H. Keller "Yesteryear in Sussex" column in the Sussex Sun (publication date currently unknown) later published in his book Yesteryear in Sussex on page 38. |
| The 1920 Federal Census lists Raymond J. Morgan as a "Ticket agent"
with his brother-in-law, Dewey Hirmer (?) age 20 as the "Operator at R.R.
depot". Dewey was obviously his backup or support at the depot. The C &
NW though not officially endorsing nepotism, often encouraged it. Ray's
wife no doubt worked with him at times.
Photo to the left is c. 1920 with five unidentified males. |
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Both photos here c. 1920 Wreck of Northwestern, near Templeton, just east of lime kiln...cars of flour smashed up. Fred H. Keller collection. |
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| This circa 1930 photo from the collection
of Roy Stier shows Raymond "Ray" J. Morgan. The
Waukesha Freeman reported in its' Sussex column December 28,
1916, that Ray is the new North Western railway agent. A position held
until a week before March 16, 1933 (source: The Waukesha Freeman)
when he took to his home ill. After his death he was succeeded by George
Bauer from Necedah (The Waukesha Freeman June 22, 1933)
Railroad workers living in the 1930 Sussex - Lisbon Area (unfortunately the railway they worked for isn't listed.) Source 1930 Federal Census. The local fire department was called out Monday afternoon to the Northwestern depot, where an overheated stove caused a fire which might have been serious if assistance had not arrived in time. Source: Waukesha Freeman, January 22, 1936, page 2 of 9. |
Ray, from Ridgeway, WI., took a company promotion (salary increased from $40 to $55 per month) and moved to Sussex with his wife Shirley A. (8/23/1892 - 5/1980 in Sussex). He worked from 7 am to 7 pm six days a week. The 1930 Federal Census listed his age as 37 yrs and his occupation as "telegraph operator railroad". (Source: The photo and some of the above information first appeared in the Sussex Sun, Tues., June 29, 1976, later in the book Yesteryear in Sussex by Fred H. Keller, page 31.) |
1955/ Feb. 15 - Burglars took an undisclosed amount of money from the Northwestern depot office Monday night by breaking a window, and unlatching it to gain entry; three other Sussex businesses were also burglarized that night.
1955/ Oct. 2 - John Mudlitz, a section hand for the railroad between 1920 to 1950 when he retired died today. Source: Waukesha Daily Freeman, Wednesday, October 5, 1955, page 8.
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The Highway 74 crossing near Whiskey Corners. All that is left of the double tracks built in 1910 by the Chicago & North Western Railroad. Photo source: Lisbon 2000 Millennium Book, page 83 |
Depot history 1909 - 1919 ,
1920
- 1975, 1976 - 2001, 2001
- Present, Miscellaneous
Photos