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Hartig Brewery

1884–1946

100 E Cady

 

William Hartig

1851–1923

 

1897 image [WHS_005_061] labeled with following areas of the brewery complex:

Office, Bottling Department, Wash House, Shipping Room, Cold Storage,

Malt House, Elevators, Boiler House, Fermentation, Stables.

OCCUPANTS OF THIS SITE:

 

  Manz-Hartig Brewery      1884 - 1896

  Hartig Brewery           1896 - 1947

  National Tea Grocery     1954 - 1977

  Tom's United Foods       1977 - 2007

  Breselow's Family Market 2007 -

 

 

1884 – 1896:  MANZ-HARTIG BREWERY

The brewery was started in 1884 by cousins William Hartig and Carl Manz, both of Milwaukee.  William Hartig had come from Slinger where he had been in the brewery business with Charles Storck.

 

  Charles or Carl (Karl) Manz was the nephew of the late August Krug, founder of the Schlitz Brewery in Milwaukee.  Charles was the son of Anna Krug, August's sister, and may have been a beneficiary to his late Uncle Krug's estate.

 

In 1896 Hartig bought out Manz and the brewery became known as the William Hartig Brewery and operated until Prohibition.  William Hartig died in 1923 and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Watertown. 

 

His family re-opened the brewery in 1933 and ran it with modest success until the early 1940s when they sold it to out of town investors.  The quality began to suffer and it shut down in 1946 and declared bankruptcy in 1947.  The buildings were torn down in 1953 and a supermarket was built on the site in 1954.

 

Cross-Reference:

William Hartig Family Genealogy & Brewery History  [Compiled, Edited & Written by Mike Reilly]

 

c.1885

HARTIG & MANZ EMPLOYEES WITH WORK TOOLS

  

Banners:  “Hartig & Manz Maltsters, Watertown, Wis” and “Hartig & Manz Celebrated Watertown Lager Beer”

 

c.1886

HARTIG & MANZ EMPLOYEES

  

 

1888

  

 

1890

01 22       ICE HARVEST COMMENCED

Yesterday S.M. Eaton & Son commenced cutting ice for the brewery of Hartig & Manz, which is the beginning of the ice harvest here for this season.  The ice is about 7 1/2 inches thick and of a clear, good quality.  Last year ice cutting began Jan. 28, one week later than this winter.  An abundant ice crop is assured on the river here, notwithstanding the great scare among ice men only a little while ago.     WR

 

01 29       BREWERIES CONNECTED TO THEIR BOTTLING WORKS

A bill based upon a plan originated by the Pabst Brewing Company, Milwaukee, will be introduced in congress, allowing breweries to be connected with their bottling works by pipe lines.  Under the present law the bottling department must be separated from the brewery, and a public highway must pass between.  Beer must be barreled at the brewery, hauled to the bottling house, and emptied into vats before bottling.  This entails a large expense that the new plan, which provides for meters, will save.  The internal revenue department favors the change.    WR

 

02 12       HARVESTING DAY AND NIGHT

For some days past the work of storing ice has been rushed through with rapidity, men being at work on the river day and night.  Monday the work of filling the ice house of S. M. Eaton & Son was completed, 3,500 tons being stored for summer's use by this enterprising firm.  The breweries of A. Fuermann Co. and Hartig & Manz will be supplied with all the ice they want by the close of this week.  The former stores about 8,000 tons and the latter about 3,500.  S.M. Eaton & Son shipped several carloads of ice to Aurora this week.    WR

 

09 17       NEW MALT HOUSE

Hartig & Manz are making rapid progress with their malt house, in the course of erection in connection with their brewery.  The machinery is expected on the grounds the present week.  The malt house is being fitted up on Gallant-Henning patent drum system of pneumatic malting and will have a yearly capacity of 200,000 bushels.  Hartig & Manz’s plant will be quite an addition to the manufacturing interests of Watertown.    WR

 

11 19       HARTIG HOME

The residence of William Hartig, of the firm of Hartig & Manz, in the Fourth ward, is one of the handsomest and best finished dwellings erected here during the present season.

 

11 21       NEW MALT HOUSE

Article on the Hartig & Manz’s new malt house, one of the largest malt houses in America.     WR

 

c.1890

HARTIG & MANZ BREWERY EMPLOYEES

      William Hartig and Charles Manz with employees

1891

01 21       THE HARVEST OF ICE

Last week S. M. Eaton & Son and the breweries of the A. Fuermann company and Hartig & Manz сompleted the work of filling their ice-houses, securing the nicest stock of ice cut from the river here for some years.  It is without any impurities and has an average thickness of from 12 to 13 inches.  S.M. Eaton & Son stored 3,000 tons.     WR

 

1893

08 26       A WATERTOWN BUSINESS HOUSE

      HARTIG & MANZ, MALTSTERS, BREWERS AND BOTTLERS OF LAGER BEER, 100 CADY STREET

 

The brewing industry of this country has become mighty in every section. and nothing has done more to settle the temperance problem than the introduction by our-citizens of that wholesome and delicious beverage, lager beer.

 

The Hartig & Manz Brewing company's brewery is one of the largest, best appointed and most thoroughly equipped concerns devoted to this line of business in the state of Wisconsin, outside of Milwaukee, having a capacity of 20,000 barrels of beer and 200,000 bushels of malt per annum.  The premises utilized comprise a substantial brick structure with several annexes for ice houses, storage, malt house, bottling works and large refrigerators, which keep at an even temperature the vast cellars, where the delicious beverage ripens and takes its amber hue.

 

The machinery and appliances used in the brewing process and bottling operations are of the most modern and approved make. The process of manufacture employed is of the most improved character, and the beer brewed is steadily maintained at a high standard which has given it notoriety. The Hartig & Manz Brewing company’s beer is pure, wholesome and palatable, pleasing to the eye, nutritious and exhilarating.

 

It is moreover an honest beer and entirely free from even a suspicion of adulteration, being’ the pure extract of barley, malt and hops, and is allowed to mature naturally, no artificial ripening process being used —hence its purity and excellence.

 

The superior brands manufactured by this brewery, both in keg and bottle, are highly recommended for their medical qualities and are great favorites for family use. This establishment not only controls a large portion of the retail trade of the city, but makes extensive consignments to neighboring towns. Messrs. Hartig & Manz are public spirited and always ready to assist in any enterprise which tends to the advancement of Watertown.

 

This establishment is prepared to meet competition squarely, and furnish an unsurpassed quality of goods, while the methods of dealing are of a character which commend it to the favor of the trade and the public. It is strictly an American enterprise, belongs to no foreign syndicate, is controlled by American capital and is therefore worthy of American support and patronage.     The Watertown News, Aug 16, 1893

 

1895

12 04       STORAGE VATS ADDED

                Hartig & Manz are placing in their brewery a dozen storage vats, holding 150 barrels each.    WR

 

c.1895

                HARTIG & MANZ SIGNAGE OUTSIDE S. MOLZAHN SALOON

 

 

01 18       950,000 BUSHELS OF MALT

Over 950,000 bushels of malt were made here last year, of which the Wm. Buchheit Malting Co. made about 700,000 bushels, and Hartig & Manz and the A. Feurmann Brewing Co. made about 250,000 bushels.  This would indicate that Watertown is an excellent barley market.   WG

 

06 05       CHARLES TIMM, EMPLOYEE

Another freak of nature is reported from the Sixth ward – it is a four-legged duckling, hatched last Thursday, the owner being Charles Timm, an employee of Hartig & Manz.  The duckling is healthy and thriving.    WR

 

c.1897   HARTIG BREWERY ICE HOUSE BECAME HABHEGGER COLD STORAGE

         Ice house behind the Hartig Brewery.  Later the Habhegger Cold Storage plant. 

 

1897

HARTIG AD

 

Is one of the most complete and the quality of Beer that is turned out cannot be excelled.  The plant covers an area of 80 x 300 feet and is complete in every detail.  The annual product is about 20,000 barrels of Beer and 200,000 bushels of Malt.  Bottled Beer for Family Use.

 

1898

11 30       WEIS BEER BREWERY

                Albert Fuermann is making arrangements for establishing a Weis beer brewery here.  The plant will be located in a portion of the old Fuermann brewery, now owned by William Hartig, and it is expected that operation will begin the middle of December.   WR

 

12 21       FILLING THE ICE HOUSE

                Ohm Bros, began their ice harvest last week, and has been engaged in filling the large ice house in the Sixth ward formerly owned by the A. Fuermann company and which they recently purchased from William Hartig.   WR

 

1899

01 18       ICE MACHINE INSTALLATION TO IMPACT ICE HARVESTING BUSINESS

William Hartig is having placed in his brewery an ice machine, or in other words, a new process for cooling beer.  Lager beer, to be kept in prime condition, should have an even temperature, and this is almost impossible to secure under the old system.  This comparatively new process gives the desired result regardless of the extremes of weather.  The new outfit consists of a Corliss engine and ammonia compressor, and between 5,000 and 6,000 feet of piping.  This piping is carried all through the cellars, overhanging the large beer cask, and is continually covered by a uniform coating of ice.  The expense of the new outfit will exceed $5,000. 

 

This change will be regretted by a large number of men who find the labor of cutting and storing ice very profitable work during an otherwise dull season, but brewers find the old system not only very cumbersome but not thoroughly reliable.  This brewery produces an excellent quality of beer, and Mr. Hartig will not stop at any expense to maintain its already high standard.   WR

 

05 23       FENCE AROUND WASHINGTON PARK

The members of the baseball association are very thankful for the donation of Wm. Hartig, the brewer.  He was asked to subscribe to the fund, and forthwith agreed to erect the necessary fence around Washington park.   WR

 

Sept         HARVEST FESTIVAL, 1899, HARTIG FLOAT

       Lining up for the parade

William Hartig Brewing Co. float as entered in the Harvest Carnival, Sept. 1899.  The man on the far left wearing a hat is thought to be William Hartig.  This image was taken at the intersection of Jones and North First Streets.  The Fuermann Brewery office can be seen on the far left.

 

09 22       HARTIG FLOAT CATCHES ON FIRE

Watertown s first attempt in the carnival line last week was a great success, a success as regards attendance, entertainment and a good time for the thousands of visitors. The weather was delightful throughout, and a larger or better-pleased crowd was never attracted to any interior city of the state, and the visitors were provided for in a manner that speaks well for our citizens.  One pleasant feature of the carnival was that it was not necessary to make a single arrest for unruly conduct, and the immense crowds of people behaved themselves admirably well . . . The float of Wm. Hartig Brewing Co. in the latter part of the parade took fire as it reached Main Street from red fire sticks carried by attendants.  The alarm of fire was sounded, the float was drawn to First Street when the department put the fire out.  This was the only accident during the entire carnival.

 

Many persons have speculated as to whether all that was seen here during carnival week was the product of Watertown genius, some professing to believe it to be impossible.  To all those we desire to assure them that no outside help was sought or accepted, and that what was seen in our parades or otherwise was not in the least taken with borrowed plumage.   WG

 

1900

11 28       RAILROAD SIDETRACK FOR HARTIG BREWERY

It is rumored that a side-track from the Northwestern railway to the William Hartig brewery is a probability of the not distant future.  This facility is needed to assist in the transportation of the brewery’s product, which now has to be hauled by team to the railway stations, entailing a considerable item of expense.  It is said that the right-of-way has been secured through certain property in the Fifth ward and that the side-track will be laid from a point north of the James Hall crossing east to the river and thence along the west shore of the river to Rock Street.  From the foot Rock Street a trestle bridge is eventually to be built across the river to the brewery.   WR

Cross Reference:  See chapter on railroad spur  

 

12 07       RAILROAD SIDETRACK

The opposition to the building of the sidetrack of the C. N. W. Ry. in the fifth ward asked for by Wm. Hartig, is gradually dying out, as it should.  Mr. Hartig's business is one of the greatest in the city, and is of much benefit to our people, and everything so reasonable asked for by him should be granted.  This side track would also be of great benefit to S. M. Eaton & Son, the Woodard-Stone Co., the Watertown Cold Storage Co., and other large shippers here.  We hope to see the side track a reality in a short time.   WG

 

12 12       WILLIAM HARTIG PETITIONS FOR RAILROAD SPUR

      William Hartig petitions the City for privilege of building one on the west side.

 

At the last meeting- the following petition was presented to the common council and referred to the committee on streets and bridges, the board of public works and the aldermen of the Fifth ward:

 

The undersigned freeholder and taxpayer respectfully petitions your honorable body to grant the privilege, consent and permission to build and construct a spur railroad track, leading from the main track of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway company, from a point north of the North Church Street crossing to Rock Street in the Fifth ward of said city, and in this building, further asks the privilege, consent and permission of your honorable body, to cross the following named streets in said ward in the manner as the plan herewith submitted will more fully show, viz:  La Belle Street, between blocks 1 and 2; Warren Street, between blocks 2 and 8, and Berlin Street, between blocks 8 and 4, south of Silver Creek bridge, Spaulding & Prentice addition; likewise to cross North Water Street on the north end of the same between out lots 3 and 2 in said ward, and Elm Street and West Green Street in Dennis’ Emmet addition on the east ends of said streets near the bank of Rock river;

 

and further to use and occupy for said purpose a strip of sufficient width for said spur track along and off of the east side of North Water Street, between said West Green Street and Rock Street, until such time that the ownership of block No. 8. Dennis’ Emmet addition aforesaid, will, or can be acquired by me.  The ownership of the land owned by private parties, which said spur track is to cross, has already been acquired by your petitioner at his own expense.

 

- William Hartig

 

Mr. Hartig desires the accommodation to facilitate his shipping requirements.  We understand there is some opposition to the building of the track among Fifth warders, but so far as we are posted, we can see no particular reason why the prayer of the petitioner should not be granted.  We have spur tracks in other portions of the city to accommodate shippers and no harm or damage has thus far resulted. 

 

Mr. Hartig’s business is among the host of the city’s enterprises and he should receive every encouragement possible to remain an important factor in Watertown’s industrial life.  Besides benefiting the petitioner, the track would also accommodate other large shippers, among whom could be mentioned S. M. Eaton & Son, the Watertown Cold Storage company, the Woodard-Stone factory, etc.

 

Therefore, let it be built.              Watertown Republican, 12 Dec 1900

 

1901

06 21       TEAMSTER EDWARD RIMESTEAD INJURED

     Fell from hook and ladder truck

During the noon hour last Monday a fire in an outhouse in the rear of Herman Dobbratz’s brought out the fire department.  It was promptly extinguished.  Edward Rimestead, while trying to board the hook and ladder truck at the corner of Main and First streets, fell and narrowly escaped death, being flung against the wheel of the truck with terrific force.  He was taken to Dr. Werner’s office and medical attention given him at once.  He was badly shaken up and bruised, and his injuries will lay him up for several days.  He is employed as a teamster by Wm. Hartig.

 

1902

HARTIG BOTTLING

          A picture containing text, old, black

Description automatically generated    

Destroyed in 1914 tornado   

 

Cross Reference:        Image Portfolio on tornado 

 

1903

05 20       TOUR OF THE HARTIG BREWERY

    ONE OF WATERTOWN’S BEST ENTERPRISES

The Watertown Brewery, Owned and Operated by Wm. Hartig,

One of the Old Standbys of the City

Employs Thirty Men.

 

It is said that the inhabitants of the United States are a beer drinking people.  Be that as it may, the fact cannot be denied that the manufacture of beer is one of the great industries of the country and the source of a vast amount of revenue to the government.  In the front ranks of this great industry is the state of Wisconsin with its countless lines of manufactories. 

 

The citizens of Watertown who relish the amber fluid need not go out of their own city to secure a brand of the highest quality.  Occupying a leading position among our prosperous industries is the old established brewery owned and operated by Wm. Hartig.

 

Undoubtedly a large number of our own citizens fail to realize the importance and magnitude of this industry in their midst and the important part it plays in the prosperity of the community.  This establishment has been conducted under the management of Mr. Hartig for the past 19 years, with a constant increase in trade.  The manufacture of the cooling beverage is now conducted in a brick building 90 by 300 feet, three stories in height.  In addition, there is a neat brick office where the gentlemanly manager, Mr. Tanck, waits on the numerous customers. 

 

A large malt house, where thousands of pounds are stored, occupies an extensive space.  Much of the malt in this building is consumed at home and a vast amount also shipped out of the city.  North of the office is a commodious wash house where the emptys are cleaned on their return to the plant.  Two blocks north of the main building is another large structure used as the bottling house, where the different brands of bottled beer are put up in the cases. 

 

On making so much of a survey, the reporter could not resist the temptation to inspect the interior of the brewery proper and learn somewhat of the process gone through with in the manufacture of this popular beverage.  Consequently Mr. Hartig, Jr., was hunted up and the enjoyable tour of inspection commenced through the building, the courteous guide making brief explanations as each point of interest was reached.  This particular journey was commenced in the engine room where the large boilers and 30 horse power engine furnish the energy which drives the machinery throughout the plant.

 

From the engine room the way led into the room where the ice machines, propelled by a 50 horse power engine, supply the artificial frost to the large storage rooms above.

 

A number of rooms were gone through, which will be described in their order in regard to the brewing process. 

 

The barley is taken to a number of mammoth bins holding from 500 to 4000 bushels.  This place is known as the elevator tower.  In starting on its journey the barley first goes through the oat cleaning and barley separator.  Later it is spread in six large vaults in the basement where the sprouting process takes place.  Following this is an intricate series of processes and machinery to travel through.  The grinding machine, masher, malt cleaner and polisher, pneumatic drums for malting purposes, the air from which is drawn up by large fans, the steeping vat, a large copper kettle of 80 barrels capacity, then to the hop barrel, whence it issues a pure malt and hop product.

 

This is followed by numerous processes of fermenting and cooling — all done in large vats in cold rooms—running through the filter which is supplied with coke from a large tower.  Then comes the trip cellar, after which it is carried up to the top where the ice machines keep the air near the freezing point. 

 

In the top story are also located the enormous storing vats.  From the cooling it comes back to the racking room where it is either placed in kegs and barrels or put through the final process for bottling at the works two blocks north. 

 

In the upper story are two tiers of drying rooms where the malt is dried and downstairs several vaults where the barley is dried after sprouting. This is by no means a description of the process of beer making but simply the swiftly passing picture as presented to a visitor making a rapid survey of the plant.  The brewery is supplied with a dynamo which furnishes the electric lights.  Thirty men are employed by this establishment throughout the year.  The capacity is 16,000 barrels and the consumption of barley about 200,000 bushels. 

 

It is an interesting visit to anyone interested in manufactories of any kind and the neophyte in the beer business has an opportunity to learn of the vast amount of work required in producing a drink which so many of the people enjoy.     Watertown Republican, 05 20 1904

 

c.1903

BREWERY COMPLEX

         

 

1905

FLOOD OF 1905

   

 

1906

04 20       OLD ICE HOUSE REMOVED

William Hartig, the enterprising and progressive brewer, has equipped his institution with a large new boiler, reshingled his barn and removed the old ice house north of the brewery and cleaned things up generally and is making everything about the establishment as neat as a new pin.

 

1908

HARTIG’S BREWERS BASEBALL TEAM

  

 

1910

CORNER OF N. SECOND AND CADY.  Jacob Hoeffner home

  

 

1912

11 20       JOHN KEHR, OFFICE MANAGER

John Kehr, office manager for the Hartig Brewery, and the late Anton von Heiden made an election bet.  Von Heiden lost and as a result had to give Mr. Kehr a ride in a wheelbarrow along Main Street.  Hundreds turned out to cheer. 

 

1913

07 03       HAVE NEW RAMBLERS.  Edward L. Schempf and William Hartig have recently purchased two of the latest model Ramblers.   WG

 

1914

HARTIG BOTTLING DESTROYED IN 1914 TORNADO

06 23                     Chapter on 1914 tornado   

 

12 10       FIRE AT CLYMAN / Hartig [assumed] Saloon and Hotel Building

Fire destroyed about $20,000 worth of property at Clyman.  This city was called on for assistance to help fight the fire, which threatened to destroy all the business portion of Clyman.  A number of our firemen and one of our fire engines and hose carts were sent to the scene of the fire on the C.&N.W. Ry. and Juneau also sent their fire apparatus.  The engines were not unloaded at Clyman, owing to there being no water available.  The hose, however, was attached to a standpipe reservoir there and put into service as long as the water lasted.  The firemen, however, with the assistance of residents of Clyman, controlled the fire in a short time and confined it to the vicinity where it originated.  The double store building owned by Mrs. G. Coler and occupied by H. Lekachman Mercantile Co. was totally destroyed, with contents, and the saloon and hotel building adjoining, owned by Wm. Hartwig [Hartig assumed] of this city, and occupied by Emil Kressine, was also badly damaged.  The fire is said to have originated by the explosion of the gasoline lighting system in the Lekachman store while the proprietor was lighting it.  He was badly burned about the face and neck.   WG

 

c.1915

BEER DELIVERY WAGON

  

 

1916

09 08       HARTIG BREWERY OFFICE

         William Hartig and possibly John Kehr

 

1921

DOG COMMITS SUICIDE (article headline)

“Muhnka,” an Airedale pup belonging to John L. Kehr (office manager for the Hartig Brewery), committed suicide early this morning by jumping from the roof of Hartig’s Brewery.  Death was instantaneous.  The pup has always been an avowed enemy of cats and it was because of this hatred that he met his death.  Having chased a cat through the brewery, he reached the roof through a skylight.  In the chase he came to the edge of the roof and jumped to a lower roof.  Landing on his head, he was stunned and fell from there to the ground.  When found he was dead.  The dog was a familiar figure to citizens and will be greatly missed.  Persons who knew the dog say he had been grieving over the Volstead Act and the world series.  Watertown Times.  Reprinted in The Representative (Fox Lake, WI), 10 27 1921, pg 3

 

1923       WILLIAM HARTIG DIED, buried in Oak Hill cemetery. 

 

c.1920s WILLIAM HARTIG HOME

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1930       TASTING ROOM, Hartig Brewery

     Donated to the city in 1930 by Mrs. Carry Mowder Hill in memory of the Mowder and Hill families and installed in Memorial Park.  View is to the north and the building in the background was the tasting room of the Hartig brewery.  Statue moved to Octagon Museum grounds in 1970. 

 

1931

04 16       HORSE STABLE REMOVED

Another relic of the good old wet days in Watertown is passing.  The big red stable on the banks of the Rock river in which the Hartig Brewery housed its horses has been taken down and with it, too, has gone the big wagon shed that stood nearby.  To those of us who used the vicinity of the old brewery as a playground the tearing down of these old buildings reflects the melancholy trend of the times.

 

1932

12 12       "NEWLY WEDS” ICE CREAM CAKE

New ice cream product, manufactured by Hartig.

A new product is now being manufactured by the ice cream department at Hartig's.  It is a combination of devil's food cake and vanilla ice cream and is being sold under the name, "Newly Weds."  It is made by rolling vanilla ice cream in the cake and then freezing the combination. The product, placed on sale for the first time Sunday, attracted considerable attention and drew new compliments.

 

1933

09 05       BOTTLED BEER TO BE SOLD IN ANOTHER MONTH

Bottle beer will be available at the Hartig company in about another month.  Facilities to bottle the beer are now being added.  The section in which cars and trucks now are housed is to be remodeled and equipped with bottling machinery.  A new seven car garage is nearing completion, to replace the present garage, which is more adaptable to house the bottling equipment than a new unit would be.

 

1936       FLOAT IN CENTENNIAL PARADE

       Hartig’s Beer and Ice Cream, parade portfolio  

 

1939

                        PoliceDept, photo taken in Memorial Park, Hartig Brewery in background

 

 

 

1946

11 01       BEER IS ORDERED DESTROYED

MADISON — The U. S. district attorney's office announced today that 1,703 cases of beer were destroyed at the Hartig Co. in Watertown yesterday on order of the federal distinct court in Madison.  The beer was condemned in court proceedings after Harold F. McEvoy, president of the Hartig Co., had declined to contest charges of food and drug law administrators that the beer was adulterated by a type of acid resulting from the use of molasses in brewing.  The government's charges specified that the adulteration was not harmful.   AP story

 

1948

Brewery tunnels, cellars, of early days discovered

 

1940s

THREE IMAGE SET

                

 

1950

10 06       CUPOLA MUST BE REMOVED

Official notice was served on the Hartig Brewery Co., stating that the concern has 30 days in which to remove a cupola atop the closed brewery building here, since the structure has been ruled unsafe and a danger and hazard to the public.

 

The order was issued by the city council after City Engineer Vaso Bjelajac made a report on the structure.  He was recently ordered to inspect the place after fears had been voiced regarding the safety of the cupola.  He said he found the supports worn and dangerous and recommended complete removal of the cupola.  However, if the company decides to make repairs it has the privilege of doing so, just as long as the cupola is rendered safe and offers no further hazard.  It was reported it would be cheaper to remove the structure.

 

A copy was also served on officials of the Merchants National bank which holds a mortgage on the property.  The brewery has been closed for several years.

 

ONE WAY OR ANOTHER . . . HARTIG BREWERY CUPOLA TO BE REMOVED

City Council Proceeding of 10 13 1950

 

By Councilman Johannsen.  Whereas The Hartig Brewery Company, Wisconsin Corporation, is the owner of real estate hereinafter described on which are located various buildings formerly used in the operation of their brewery, said real estate being described as follows, to-wit:

 

Lots 2 and 3 and the west 2 feet of Lot 4 Block 51 and the South 18 feet of the west 85 feet of block 52 Cole, Bailey and Co.’s Plat in the City of Watertown, Jefferson County, Wisconsin.

 

And, whereas the cupola and its supports on one of the buildings located on said above described premises has become so out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe and otherwise unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use so that it would be unreasonable to repair the same;

 

Now, therefore, be it resolved, That the Hartig Brewery Company, the owner of said aforementioned described premises is hereby ordered within thirty (30) days from the date of the service of a certified copy of this resolution upon it, to raze and remove the cupola and its supports from the building located on the aforementioned described premises or if it can be made safe by repairs to either repair and make the same safe or to raze and remove the same at its option.

 

Be it further resolved, That a certified copy of this resolution be served on the Hartig Brewery Company, the owner of record of said aforementioned described premises or its agent or trustee, if an agent or trustee is in charge of said buildings, and upon the holder of any incumbrances of record in the manner provided for in the service of a summons in the Circuit Court Be it further resolved, That il neither the owner or holder of in cumbrances of record can be found, that this resolution may be served by posting it on the main entrance of one of the building located on said aforementioned premises or by; publication of the same in the Watertown Daily Times, the official newspaper o this city, for two consecutive publications at least ten days before the time limited in this resolution commences to run.

 

Be it further resolved, That in the event said Hartig Brewer Company fails or refuses to comply with this resolution within time prescribed herein, that the inspector of buildings of the City of Watertown, Wisconsin or other designated officer, shall cause such cupola and its supports to be razed and removed either through any available public agency or by contract or arrangement with private persons and that the cost of such razing and removal be charged against the real estate aforementioned, be a lien thereon and be collected as a special tax.

 

Motion adopted

 

1950, cont.

11 20       HARTIG LION MASCOT TO COME OFF BREWERY

              

The city is expected to proceed shortly with the removal of the cupola atop the Hartig Brewery Co. building here, now that 30 days of grace for its removal by the company have elapsed.  The bronze lion which served as the trademark for Hartig’s beer in years past is also to come down and just what disposition will be made of this is not yet known.

 

The council recently adopted a resolution ordering the removal of the cupula because it was held to be a hazard and a danger to the public safety.

 

The resolution called on the company to remove the structure within30 days.  If not complied with in that time, the order provided that the work be done by the city and charged to the company.

 

Since the company has not complied with the order after a copy of it was served on its agent, Wright Hallfrisch, Fort Atkinson attorney, the city will do the work in accordance with the council resolution.

 

The brewery plant here has been closed for several years with no prospect of its being reopened in the immediate future, if at all.

 

c.1951

    

 

1953

07 22       PRIOR TO DEMOLITION

                 

 

09 04       RAZING THE OLD HARTIG BREWERY Co. BUILDING

The first walls came crashing down today in the demolition of the old Hartig Brewery Co. building on Cady Street to make room for the new and modern supermarket which is to be constructed on the site.

 

Workmen for the Allen Wrecking Co. of Madison started demolishing the huge structure this morning.  The start of tearing down the building is being made at the north end of the structure, in what was once the bottling department of the brewery.  A truck, with cable, was used to bring down the first wall this forenoon.  Later on, as the work proceeds to the higher sections of the building, special equipment will be brought in to speed the demolition.

 

Ray Kern, Watertown businessman, purchased the property some weeks ago from the Merchants National Bank, and announced that he will erect a 70 by 135 feet supermarket building which he has leased to the National Tea Co.  In addition to the building, plans call for parking space for 100 automobiles on the property.

 

09 22       RAZING THE OLD HARTIG BREWERY BUILDING

   

The tall chimney of the Hartig Brewery was removed on September 22, 1953 by the Allen Wrecking Co. of Madison.

 

09 26       OLD BREWERY BRICKS USED FOR NEW CHURCH

  

150,000 Bricks Being Salvaged from Ruins of Hartig’s Brewery

 

At least 150,000 bricks will be salvaged from the old Hartig brewery building which is now being demolished to make room for a modern supermarket, it was announced today by O. E. Carlson, local fuel and brick dealer at 1501 South Third Street.  Mr. Carlson said that under ordinary circumstances the salvage would run to around one million bricks, but because of the process of demolishing the building, which is taking speed into consideration, most of them will be useless.

 

Mr. Carlson said the bricks are being hauled to his yards and will be cleaned there.  He said some of the bricks will go into a new church at Palmyra.

 

The bricks used in the brewery came originally from the same brick yard which Mr. Carlson now occupies.

 

The bricks used in the brewery are in good shape, some as good as any used today and some even superior in quality to present day manufactured bricks.

 

Mr. Carlson said that most of the bricks and rubble are being used to fill in the old cellars which lined the site of the brewery and hence are of no use to him.  But he is taking as many of the bricks as he can get and after they are sorted and cleaned he expects to have about 150,000 for future use.

 

Some of, the walls in the brewery are four feet thick, Mr. Carlson jointed out.

 

Much of the brewery is now down and the remaining walls will come down shortly, as the work proceeds.  Bulldozers and a crane re being used in the process.  The 50 foot chimney came down some time ago.

 

The brewery site will be occupied by the supermarket which is to be operated by. the National Tea Co. stores.  The market will be built by Bay Kern, local business man who acquired the property from the Merchants National Bank of this city some months ago.  He has completed arrangements with the food chain to occupy the market.  In addition to the modern market, there will also be room on the site for parking 100 cars.

 

09 28       RAZING THE OLD HARTIG BREWERY BUILDING

………..   

On September 28, 1953, the Allen Wrecking Co. of Madison continues the demolition of massive edifice.

 

10 18       HARTIG BREWERY SITE CLEARED

A person standing next to a car

Description automatically generated with medium confidence  

 

1953-54

BREWERY BUILDINGS WERE TORN DOWN

The Hartig brewery buildings were torn down in 1953-54 for a National Tea Store.  Later the site for Tom’s Grocery (United Foods), still later Breselow's Family Market.  The building wrecker came from Madison.  They hired a crane and operator locally from Jim Rudolph to get the buildings on the ground.

 

1957

05 14       DEATH OF ED KAERCHER

Edward F. Kaercher, 85.  Was born Jan. 16, 1866, a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kaercher and lived all of his life in Watertown.  He had worked at the Hartig Co. plant for 40 years, retiring at the age of 77.

 

1971

RELIC OF A HAPPIER ERA

An object which many older residents of Watertown will view as a sentimental relic of a happier era was taken from Rock River here the other day by Bruce Kaesermann, aged 11, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Kaesermann, No. 10 Pawnee Street.  He found it while playing in the area of Schaller Park.  It turned out to be a beer keg from the period of the Hartig Brewing Co. which produced some of the best and most palatable beer every brewed in Wisconsin or almost anywhere else for that matter.

 

The keg still has on it a brass plate bearing the name of the Hartig Brewing Co. whose plant was located in the block which now houses the National Food Store in Cady Street, opposite the old Memorial Park which somehow got turned into a site for Watertown’s present municipal building.

 

The brewery was the largest single building in Watertown.  It was but one of several breweries here, but it was the last to survive, having gone through the Prohibition era when it converted to making “near beer” and ice cream.  When Prohibition ended it converted back to making beer.  Along, with most smaller breweries in the state, it finally faded from the scene, leaving the field to the major breweries and monopolies which now turn out beer that does not even approach the fine brew which Hartig’s and other smaller breweries produced years and years ago.

 

 

     Image Portfolio

 

 

 

Cross-References:

Philip Hartig, obit, president of Hartig Co after father’s (William) death and up until business was sold to outside interests in 1947.

Fuermann Brewery

Goose Brand Beer, reference to Watertown Stuffed Geese

Hunting for the Hartig recipe, Tim Sullivan, WDTimes 

Hoeffner’s Brewery

Hops processing plant considered, 1986

 

Presentation on Beer Brewing (YouTube video clip) 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents 

History of Watertown, Wisconsin

Index