April Newsletter

Pleasant Prairie Historical Society

PRESERVE THE PAST. EDUCATE THE FUTURE.

April Newsletter

ANNOUNCING THE

HIDDEN HISTORY SCULPTURE TRAIL

Much of Pleasant Prairie’s built history has been lost to time—the Hidden History Sculpture Trail will bring attention to “hidden” historic sites through five unique commissioned sculptures that interpret each historic story. This privately funded sculpture trail will be located along the Lake Andrea walking path in Prairie Springs Park and is slated to open in July 2026, to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.

CALL FOR ARTISTS

We are seeking artists to create these unique sculptures. More information and the application can be found here: CALL FOR ARTISTS. Applications are due May 27, 2025.

The Hidden History Sculpture Trail is generously sponsored by Dermody Properties.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Emmy Dedication, Screening, and All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Meet & Greet

Saturday, June 7, 4:00 - 6:00pm

Pleasant Prairie History Museum

Free Admission

SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

Members enjoy the following benefits:

Copy of the bi-annual Prairie Pioneer newsletter
Invitation to the Annual Night at the Museum
Membership Certificate and Pin
Early access to sign-up for the annual History Happy Hour series

To download a Membership

Application, click HERE

READ OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER

Volume 14 Issue 2—Fall 2024

HISTORY HIGHLIGHT

BAIN STATION

MILK EXPRESS TRAIN

Since Pleasant Prairie's early settlement until the 1860s, the area was largely a grain farming community. In fact, the most common crop in Wisconsin was wheat. But in the 1870s, dairy farming started to grow in popularity. By 1899, over 90% of Wisconsin farms raised dairy cows.

In Pleasant Prairie, the transition from wheat to dairy was influenced by the arrival of railroads. Transporting milk by train meant it could be shipped further without spoiling. In 1870, Bain Station in Pleasant Prairie became a milk train hub. The "Milk Express Train" would leave for Chicago every morning and return in the afternoon with empty cans.