Colgate, Wisconsin
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Colgate, Wisconsin
|settlement_type = Unincorporated community
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|image_skyline = Colgate.jpg
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|image_caption = The Colgate post office
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|pushpin_map = Wisconsin#USA
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1 = State
|subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Wisconsin}}
|subdivision_type2 = County
|subdivision_name2 = Washington, Waukesha
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|population_est = 300
|pop_est_as_of = February 2018
|pop_est_footnotes = {{better source needed|date=February 2021}}
|timezone = Central (CST)
|utc_offset = -6
|timezone_DST = CDT
|utc_offset_DST = -5
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|elevation_ft = 981
|coordinates = {{coord|43|11|35|N|88|12|24|W|type:city_region:US-WI_source:GNIS-enwiki|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type = ZIP code
|postal_code = 53017
|area_code = 262
|blank_name = GNIS feature ID
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Colgate is an unincorporated community in Washington County, Wisconsin, United States, straddling the county line with Waukesha County.{{cite gnis|1563263|Colgate, Wisconsin}} Colgate is located partially in the village of Richfield, and the village of Lisbon.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=5835&keyword=Waukesha|title=Colgate, Waukesha Co|access-date=July 18, 2008|archive-date=June 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611092256/http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=5835&keyword=Waukesha|url-status=dead}} Its ZIP Code is 53017.{{cite web|url=http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action|title=USPS – Look Up a ZIP Code|access-date=February 15, 2012|author=United States Postal Service|year=2012|archive-date=February 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214204322/https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action|url-status=live}} The population is around 300, up from about 50 in 1983.
Geography
The Fox River, an Illinois River tributary, rises in a small, unnamed swamp, {{convert|1|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of the community of Colgate.{{cite gnis|408636|Fox River|15 August 2012}} The Bark River also originates to the north and runs in a southwesterly direction.
The Canadian National Railway line runs North-South, and there was originally a depot there.
County Road Q, also known as County Line Road, is the main road in Colgate, and runs East-West along the border between Washington and Waukesha counties. It was formerly called Main Street.
History
Colgate was known as Colgate Station at first.{{cite journal |last1=Keller |first1=Fred |editor1-last=Schoenknecht |editor1-first=John M. |title=Colgate: A Road Bump with History |journal=Landmark |date=Winter 2004 |volume=47 |issue=4 |pages=22–23 |publisher=Waukesha County Historical Society and Museum |location=Waukesha, WI |language=en |issn=0458-6972 |oclc=4969800}} It was named after James Colgate, a construction engineer for the rail line that still runs through the community.
The post office was established January 11, 1887, with its first postmaster being Andrew Ennis, Sr.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69199150/andrew-ennis-sr-new-postmaster-of/ |access-date=February 7, 2021 |work=The Wisconsin State Register |publisher=Rockwood & Goodell |date=January 15, 1887 |location=Portage, Wisconsin |page=2 |language=en |title= |quote=Six new post offices have been established in Wisconsin and postmasters appointed as follows: Colgate Waukesha county Andrew Ennis, Sr.... |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213183330/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69199150/andrew-ennis-sr-new-postmaster-of/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Van Ryzin |first1=Jerry |title=Waukesha, Mukwanago Post Offices Started in 1837 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69197448/ |access-date=February 7, 2021 |work=Waukesha Daily Freeman |date=October 15, 1952 |location=Waukesha, Wisconsin |page=16 |language=en |quote=Colgate (Washington county, formerly Waukesha) – Established Jan. 11. 1887. First postmaster, Andrew Ennis, Sr. |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112175945/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69197448/waukesha-daily-freeman/ |url-status=live }} It operated out of the railroad depot on the Lisbon side of Colgate.{{cite news |last1=Reilly |first1=Mike |title=Post Office / Postmaster / Mail Delivery History – Sussex, Lisbon,Colgate, Lake Five, Lannon |url=https://slah.online/post-office-postmaster-mail-delivery-history-sussex-lisboncolgate-lake-five-lannon/#col |newspaper=Sussex-Lisbon Area Historical Museum |access-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227024723/https://slah.online/post-office-postmaster-mail-delivery-history-sussex-lisboncolgate-lake-five-lannon/ |archive-date=27 February 2021 |location=Sussex, WI |language=en |date=16 September 2007 |url-status=live}} Ennis was appointed on July 21, 1887. August B. Henshell was appointed postmaster in 1889.{{cite news |title=Wisconsin Postmasters |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69199016/august-b-henshell-appointed-postmaster/ |access-date=February 7, 2021 |work=The Weekly Wisconsin |date=June 8, 1889 |location=Milwaukee |page=5 |quote=August B. Henshell will be appointed postmaster at Colgate, Waukesha County |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112180059/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69199016/august-b-henshell-appointed-postmaster/ |url-status=live }} On August 30, 1898 Henshell was replaced by Max Manthey.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69593728/wisconsin-postmasters/ |access-date=February 7, 2021 |work=The Weekly Wisconsin |date=September 3, 1898 |language=en |page=4 |location=Milwaukee |title=Wisconsin Postmasters |quote=Washington, D. C.. Aug. 30.—[Special.]—Fourth-class Wisconsin postmasters appointed today: Colgate, Waukesha county. Max Manthey, vice A. B. Henshell removed; |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112180003/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69593728/wisconsin-postmasters/ |url-status=live }} Manthey owned the general store and was a supervisor on the Lisbon Town Board. On October 1, 1898 the post office relocated to the general store,{{cite news|work=The Waukesha Freeman|date=6 October 1898|location=Waukesha, WI |page=6|language=en|quote=Our post office was removed Oct 1st to itsnew quarters. Max Manthey will act as postmaster vica A. B. Henschel}} which was also on the south side (Lisbon side) of the road. A cross-street on this side was named Wagner Street in his honor, which is now called Short Road. This also had a cross street called Melville Street, which no longer exists.
The night of October 16, 1901, two Chicago-bound freight trains collided on the Wisconsin Central Railway tracks between Colgate and Rugby Junction. Two cars derailed, but no injuries were reported.{{cite news |title=Central is Tied up |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69198854/train-collision-between-colgate-and/ |language=en |access-date=February 7, 2021 |work=The Herald |date=October 24, 1901 |location=Readstown, Wisconsin |page=3 |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112175945/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69198854/train-collision-between-colgate-and/ |url-status=live }}
On December 8, 1902 a fire broke out in the general store.{{cite news |title=Tragic Deaths in Badger Fire |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69594847/max-manthey-dead-in-fire/ |language=en |access-date=February 7, 2021 |work=The Journal Times |date=December 8, 1902 |location=Racine, Wisconsin |page=1 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214085721/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69594847/max-manthey-dead-in-fire/ |url-status=live }} Manthey, his spouse, seven children, and a servant were asleep at the time. Only Ms. Manthey and two of their children survived. The Manthey general store had also been destroyed by fire in the previous year.{{cite journal |last1=Keller |first1=Fred |editor1-last=Schoenknecht |editor1-first=John M. |title=Colgate, Wisconsin: Fire |journal=Landmark |date=Summer 1999 |volume=42 |issue=2 |pages=26–29 |publisher=Waukesha County Historical Society |location=Waukesha, WI |language=en |issn=0458-6972 |oclc=4969800}}
The post office/general store was rebuilt December 15, 1903, this time on the northern (Washington County) side of the road. Theodore Roosevelt appointed Frank E. Stirn as postmaster.
On April 28, 1934, a 1929 coupe allegedly carrying members of the Dillinger Gang was seen in a Colgate garage, less than a week after the gang was spotted in Manitowish Waters.{{cite news |title=[Wisconsin license number 10649...] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69196667/dillinger-gang-in-colgate-wi/ |access-date=February 7, 2021 |work=Marshfield News-Herald |language=en |date=April 28, 1934 |location=Marshfield, Wisconsin |page=1 |volume=14 |issue=46}}
Frank Stirn resigned as postmaster in 1946 and his spouse Elfrieda was appointed to the role by postmaster Robert E. Hannegan.{{cite news |title=Postmaster Resigns, Wife Takes Over Job |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69597584/elfrieda-stirn-replaces-frank-e-stirn/ |access-date=February 7, 2021 |work=Wisconsin State Journal |date=February 10, 1946 |location=Madison, Wisconsin |language=en |page=4 |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112175940/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69597584/elfrieda-stirn-replaces-frank-e-stirn/ |url-status=live }} She had the position until 1966.
The 20th Alice in Dairyland, crowned in 1967, was Kristin Williams of Colgate.{{cite web |title=Alice in Dairyland Alumni |url=https://www.aliceindairyland.com/past-alice-in-dairylands?lightbox=dataItem-k9j7q5f31 |website=Alice in Dairyland |language=en |publisher=Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection |access-date=February 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207212652/https://www.aliceindairyland.com/past-alice-in-dairylands |archive-date=February 7, 2021 |location=Madison, Wisconsin}} The occasion resulted in the biggest parade the community has ever had, consisting of 89 vehicles proceeding what was then still called Main Street (now County Line Road/County Road Q).
Around 5:00AM on December 30, 1967, a house fire broke out in Colgate.{{cite web |title=Richfield Volunteer Fire Company History |url=https://richfieldfire.com/richfieldfire/history.html |website=Richfield Volunteer Fire Company |access-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214182435/https://richfieldfire.com/richfieldfire/history.html |archive-date=14 February 2021 |location=Hubertus, WI |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Fire Fatal to Volunteer at Richfield |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70619232/robert-pickhard-dead/ |access-date=14 February 2021 |work=The Daily Telegram |date=2 January 1968 |location=Eau Claire, Wisconsin |page=9 |language=en |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112175950/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70619232/robert-pickhard-dead/ |url-status=live }} Forty firefighters from surrounding communities responded, and Robert Pickhard from the Richfield Volunteer Fire Company lost his life battling the blaze.{{cite news |title=Fireman Killed In Richfield Fire |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70617851/robert-pickhard-dies/ |access-date=14 February 2021 |work=The La Crosse Tribune |date=31 December 1967 |location=La Crosse, Wisconsin |page=2 |language=en |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112180050/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70617851/robert-pickhard-dies/ |url-status=live }} He is the only firefighter in the company's history to die in the line of duty.
The United States Senate confirmed Lynn E. Burton as postmaster on January 17, 1969.
In 1983 turkeys were rare enough in the area that when a friendly hen adopted downtown Colgate as her home, it made news.{{cite news |title=Turkey Antics |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69572311/colgate-turkey/ |language=en |access-date=February 7, 2021 |work=Fond du Lac Commonwealth Reporter |date=November 4, 1983 |location=Fond du Lac, Wisconsin |page=1 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214122640/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69572311/colgate-turkey/ |url-status=live }} Postmaster Burton witnessed the bird's death from a hit and run collision in November of that year.{{cite news |title=Colgate's turkey tangles with van |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69572263/colgate-turkey-dies/ |language=en |access-date=February 7, 2021 |work=The Capital Times |date=November 11, 1983 |location=Madison, Wisconsin |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112175954/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/69572263/colgate-turkey-dies/ |url-status=live }}
In November 1987, the former Stirn General Store and Post Office caught fire after standing for 84 years. Firefighters from Lisbon and Richfield put out the blaze, but the building was destroyed. The post office had already been moved to its current building to the east of where the fire was.
In 2018, echoing events of 35 years earlier, there were several cougar sightings in the area.{{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=Madeline |title='It'd be neat to see:' Cougar caught on camera in Colgate has some on the lookout |url=https://www.fox6now.com/news/itd-be-neat-to-see-cougar-caught-on-camera-in-colgate-has-some-on-the-lookout |website=FOX 6 Now Milwaukee |access-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214201231/https://www.fox6now.com/news/itd-be-neat-to-see-cougar-caught-on-camera-in-colgate-has-some-on-the-lookout |archive-date=14 February 2021 |language=en |date=February 14, 2018}}{{cite web |title=Cougar caught on camera again in Washington County |url=https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/cougar-caught-on-camera-again-in-washington-county |website=WTMJ-TV Milwaukee |publisher=Scripps Local Media |access-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214202357/https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/cougar-caught-on-camera-again-in-washington-county |archive-date=14 February 2021 |location=Milwaukee |language=en |date=March 26, 2018}} Three sightings were in Colgate,{{cite web |last1=Wiedenhoeft |first1=Jane E. |last2=Gross |first2=Matt |last3=Walter |first3=Scott |title=Rare Carnivore Observations 2018 |url=https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/documents/reports/rarecarnobserv2.pdf |website=Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |access-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123182821/https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/documents/reports/rarecarnobserv2.pdf |archive-date=23 January 2021 |location=Madison, WI |language=en |date=2019}} and it is likely that all the sightings were of a single individual from South Dakota.
=Management of the Colgate Post Office=
Though many businesses have operated through the years there, the one constant is the post office. Though a number of businesses still operate in the Colgate ZIP Code of 53017, the post office is the only non-residential establishment still open in downtown Colgate.
On May 18, 2013, the Colgate post office was converted to a Remotely Managed Post Office. It no longer has its own postmaster and operates under the direction of the postmaster of the Hubertus Post Office.
Notes
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External links
- [http://www.slahs.org/history/local/colgate.htm Sussex-Lisbon Area Historical Society, Inc. webpage describing early history of Colgate]
{{Washington County, Wisconsin}}
{{Waukesha County, Wisconsin}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Unincorporated communities in Washington County, Wisconsin
Category:Unincorporated communities in Waukesha County, Wisconsin