“Open for Business”

East side of square in downtown Walworth, Wisconsin, in early 1900s

April 25, 2024

On February 16 I posted a photograph of the square in downtown Walworth, Wisconsin. Made in the early 1900s, the photo was of the north side of the square, and I titled the image “Center Stage.”

Here is another photo of the square, and the buildings are on the east side. They face west.

Given the time period, obviously I did not make the photo, and, unfortunately, I do not know the photographer’s name. The photo was made from one of several plate-glass negatives I kept when I sold The Times weekly newspaper in October 1986.

Those of you familiar with Walworth will recognize the photographer made the photo looking east from in front of what is the current Walworth Elementary School along Beloit Street. The school is just off the southwest corner of the square.

I wish I had a similar contemporary photo for reference so I could share the names of the current businesses for historical perspective.

When I enlarged the photo on my computer, the only business I identified was Walworth State Bank. It occupied the storefront on the left side of the tallest building, which at one time was Heyer Hardware.

On the right side of the tallest building is a vacant lot. Eventually the bank constructed a new building on the lot, and that structure still stands. Decades later, the bank had another new building constructed on the east side of the village. The structure still is a bank, but it is called First National Bank and Trust.

Since the lot is vacant in the photo, buildings can be seen on the north side of Kenosha Street. If I am not mistaken, all still are standing and used for businesses and/or apartments.

The park, delineated by the trees, on the square remains as well.

If you would like to see the photos as nicely framed pieces, go to Golden Years Retirement Village on the east side of Walworth, and ask to visit the lower-level Community Room. It contains many other old photos.

My website also has photos of various areas and communities in Walworth County, most notably those around Geneva Lake.

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 If you wish to comment or ask a question about this post, contact me at frednoer@att.net.