Hustisford
city hall
A wide variety of businesses have called the Hustisford area home. Mills provided early settlers with grain and mercantile stores sold clothing and utensils along with other necessities. Early settlers were still heavily dependent upon their basic hunting and farming skills to survive.
looking down Lake Street
In 1837. John Hustis was the first person in Dodge County to plant wheat, which became one of Wisconsin’s major crops. In June of 1845. Hustis built a log dam across the river to harness the power of the river. A sawmill was built at the west end of the dam, operating from 1846 until 1859.
Lutheran Church
Tn 1850. John Hustis built a flour and grist mill along the south end of the river. This mill operated from 1850 until 1929. The Koch mill could convert about 500 bushels of wheat into flour in a 24-hour period.
Roeseler ‘s Hardware
Since 1869. Roeseler’s Hardware has supplied the area with implements and
hardware items. They remain a family owned business. Roeseler’s carried
threshing machines and was one of the first implement dealers in Hustisford. The
store originally attracted customers because of its large stock of agricultural
implements, stoves, shelf hardware, and articles of the trade. August Roeseler,
Sr.. the founder. was also an agent for threshing machines. The store has the
distinction of being the oldest hardware store owned by a single family in the
State of Wisconsin.
In the early 1900’s, Roeseler’s added household appliances, carrying washing
machines and ice boxes. They also added radios and heaters to their inventory
and carried Overland and Model T Ford automobiles. Part of their work as
salesmen included teaching prospective owners how to drive the cars. Roeseler’s
offered ~vc1l-drilling services. constructed wooden stave silos, and carried a
full line of farm related supplies, including milking machines, cattle watering
equipment, and water pipes.
August’s sons. Edward, Oscar, and Henry, took over the store in 1952. Edward
sold his interest to Henry’s son, Duane. who was the last to operate the store.
Up to its closing Roeseler’s Hardware continued to carry a full line of farm
related supplies as well as appliances.
Mike's hardware, across the street
the post office
Duane's bar and restaurant
Zilisch building
along Lake Street
old store fronts
gardening in the winter?
looking out to the lake
