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Argus Technical Services
Racine, Wisconsin
Historic Sites
Much of the rich history of Racine County is magnificently chronicled at
The Racine County Heritage Museum.
The Museum is located at 701 South Main Street, Racine.
Housed in a registered historic landmark building, the Racine County Heritage Museum is
the largest in the county devoted to the preservation and use of artifacts and archived
materials for the general public. Through exhibits, events and educational programs, it
disseminates information about people, culture and events from 1830 to the present. In
addition to three floors of exhibits, the museum includes a sales shop and archive. Open
Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m., Saturday and Sunday 1:00 p. m. to 5:00
p. m. The archive has restricted hours. No admission fee, but donations encouraged. For
more information,call 414.636.3926.
For more on the Racine County Historical Museum See the Highlight Page. |
1888 BOHEMIAN SCHUOOLHOUSE, Five Mile Road and Highway 31, Caledonia
The 1888 Schoolhouse was built for use on weekends to teach the Bohemian language and
culture to the to the children of Bohemians who settled in Caledonia, mainly between Five
Mile and Seven Mile Roads. As the immigrants and their children became more comfortable
and emphasis on ethnicity declined, the use of the schoolhouse declined as well. The
property was deeded to the Racine Historical Society, and the Junior League of Racine
undertook its restoration. In 1975, the schoolhouse opened its doors for living history
programs, which recreate a turn-of-the-century classroom experience. Volunteers dressed
schoolmarm style conduct reading, arithmetic and writing lessons and supervise games.
Classroom sessions are arranged through the schools, with fall and spring sessions. For
details, fee schedule and reservations, call 414.636.3926.
BURLINGTON HISTORICAL MUSEUM, 232 N. Perkins Boulevard, Burlington
Come visit the Burlington Historical Society's museum, with memorabilia and artifacts
from the city's past, and exhibits which depict the history of Burlington from its
beginnings to the present day. Two history books about Burlington are for sale at the
museum: The First 150+ Years, by Don Reed and Francis Meurer and Along the Right-of-Way to
Burlington, by Charles H. Damanske. Also spend some time in the Victorian Heritage Garden
adjacent to the museum, which was planted by the Burlington Area Garden Club. Open every
Sunday and most holidays from 1:00 p. m. to 4:00 p.m. throughout the year. Group tours are
welcome by appointment. Call 414.767.2883, 763.6471 or 534.3619.
JOHN DILLINGER DISPLAY, Racine Police Department Lobby, 730 Center
Street, Racine
On November 20, 1933, four masked men entered the American Trades Bank (now the M&I
Bank) on the corner of Fifth and Main Street in downtown Racine. One of the four was John
Dillinger He and his gang robbed a teller of over $27,000, undeterred by the arrival of
the police. Leaving the bank with their hostages -- including the bank president and three
women -- they were slowed by the crowd which had gathered in the street, but eventually
made their way out of town. During the robbery, they took a Model 1928 Thompson submachine
gun from a police officer. The gun, with John Dillinger's signature on the stock, was
recovered two months later when gang members were captured in Tucson, Arizona. Today it is
on display in the police department lobby.
LOG CABIN MUSUEM, Echo Lake Veterans Park (Highway 36), Burlington
This pioneer log cabin is city-owned and furnished with authentic articles from the
Burlington Historical Society's collection. Come view life as it was in years gone by.
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, Sundays and holidays from 1:00 p. m. to 4:00p. m.
Other times, including group tours, by appointment. 414.767.2884,763.6471 or 534.3619.
OLD ENGINE HOUSE NO. 3 MUSEUM, 700 Sixth Street, Racine
A former fire station, today this museum offers exhibits of antique fire fighting
equipment. Free admission. Open Sundays from 1:00p. m. to 4:30 p. m. or by appointment.
For information, call414.637.7395. To arrange special tours, call 414.633.4305.
SOUTHSIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT, Racine
The Southside Historic District, an area of stately homes and churches, has been listed
in the National Register of Historic Places since 19177. The district boasts a variety of
architectural styles, including Tudor, Victorian, Federal, Italianate and Queen Anne and
the Gothic-style DeKoven Center. An array of homes have been carefully restored, remaining
faithful to the original architecture. A special reminder of days gone by is College
Avenue, from 14th Street south to DeKoven Boulevard, with its red brick paving and stone
curbing, laid in 1897. A number of impressive neighborhoods can be found in the South-side
Historic District, which is bounded by 8th Street on the north, Lake Michigan on the east,
DeKoven Avenue on the South and College Avenue and then Park Avenue on the west.
SPINNING TOP EXPLORATORY MUSEUM, 533 Milwaukee Avenue (Highway 36),
Burlington
The Spinning Top Exploratory Museum offers an exhibit of 2,000 tops, yo-yos and
gyroscopes, as well as 35 different tops to spin. The 90-minute program features a live
show, videos, demonstrations and top games to play. Advance reservations are required. The
show includes a demonstration of the actual tops used in filming an MGM feature. Groups of
all sizes welcome. Call for hours. Admission. 414.763.3946.
STURTEVANT CABOOSE, Wisconsin Street, North of Highway 11, Sturtevant
Western Union Junction began to develop when a main railroad link was built between
Milwaukee and Chicago, and a major junction developed as that line met the link from
Racine to Beloit and points west. The village's name was changed to Corliss, and then in
1923 to Sturtevant. In 1902, the Milwaukee Road built the present station. The depot
occupied the southwest corner of the intersection of the two tracks. The vintage Milwaukee
Road Bay Window Caboose was built in 1956 for the Milwaukee Road. It is located to the
east of the Sturtevant station and the hotel, just north of Highway 11. If you are
interested in railroad heritage of southeastern Wisconsin, contact Ken Simonsen at
414.632.9263. Free admission. Open Sundays, 10:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m.
WHITMAN SCHOOL, 401 Beloit Street, Burlington
The one-room Whitman School, built in 1840, was the first building erected for use as a
school in Burlington. Now operated by the Burlington Historical Society, with many
artifacts from that era,including desks which seat two children. Spring and fall classes
are scheduled for second through fifth grade children for one day, with teachers and
children dressed appropriately for the era. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, Sundays
and most holidays from 1:00 p. m. to 4:00 p. m. Group tours are welcome by appointment.
414.767.2884, 763.6471 or 534.3619.
MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS
- Captain Gilbert Knapp Monument
Michigan Boulevard at North Beach, Racine
- Christopher Columbus Monument
Lake Avenue at Fourth Street, Racine
- Colonel Heg Memorial Park
Loomis Road, Wind Lake
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza
At the intersection of State Street, Marquette
Street and Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Racine
- Karel Jonas Monument
Douglas Avenue and High Street, Racine
- Lincoln Monument
State Street, Burlington
- Lincoln Monument
Northwestern Avenue at Summit, Racine
- Mary Todd Lincoln Statue
1001 South Main Street, Racine
Memorial Hall and Veterans Plaza
72 Seventh Street, Racine
- Monument Square
Downtown Racine
Originally known as Haymarket Square, the name of this downtown gathering place was
changed to Monument Square on July 4, 1884,the 50th anniversary of Racine. That day, the
61-foot high Vermont marble memorial erected in honor of Racine Civil War soldiers was
dedicated.
- Mound Cemetery
West Boulevard and Washington Avenue, Racine
A number of monuments can be found in this city-owned, 49-acre cemetery, the oldest
consistent of 14 conical Indian burial mounds built by the Woodland Mound Builders over
1,000 years ago. The mounds are planted with evergreens to protect them, and a stone shaft
was erected in 1908, marking the largest mound. Also in the cemetery stands a Civil War
cannon and a stone monument in memory of Civil War Veterans; and the Spanish-American War
Veterans Monument, the first in the nation to be erected. You'll also find the final
resting place of many of Racine's prominent early citizens, including J. I. Case and
William Horlick.
- Paul Harris Memorials
Assorted locations, Racine
Veterans' Memorial
Durand Avenue and Ohio Street, Racine
- Wisconsin Official Markers
Located in Pritchard Park on Ohio Street
In Racine, an official marker is dedicated to the "Father of Automobiles,"
the Rev. Dr. J. W. Carhart. Another marker is located on Highway 32, north of Racine in
Caledonia, and honors the soldiers of the 32nd Division who fought in World War II.
Argus Technical Services - Racine
1648 Washington Avenue
Racine, Wisconsin 53403
Telephone: (414) 634-7277
Fax: (414) 634-3303
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