People have been in love with little old Cooksville for more
than a 100 years—probably longer, since its founding 175 years ago.
 |
| Cook House, photo c. 1930 |
The Village of Cooksville was founded in northwestern Rock
County in 1842, and began life as a small frontier settlement of talented
pioneers, farmers, merchants, and artisans in the Wisconsin Territory.
The village soon welcomed more immigrants—craftsmen and
women, artists, teachers, gardeners, retirees, and, eventually, home restorers—
all attracted by Cooksville’s rural setting and its small village charm, which continues
to appeal to both residents and visitors in the 21st century.
 |
| Cooksville Lutheran Church, photo c.1930 |
What is that attraction? People have been commenting for years
about the small “Town that Time (and the railroad) Forgot,” and which is now
officially designated as a historically significant village by the national,
state and local governments. People have been traveling to visit it, returning for the
memories it holds in their hearts and praising it for its special history and
architecture—and for its unique character as a survivor from the mid-19th
century.
 |
| Robertson Blacksmith Shop, photo c.1920 |
Some examples attesting to that special identity and
captivating quality:
“This forgotten hamlet, Cooksville, lives on, unique,
lovely, and secure in its quiet charm—the town that time forgot.” Virginia Palmer, Wisconsin Tales and Trails.
A picture-perfect
southern Wisconsin town… has changed little…restored homes in American Gothic
and Greek-revival styles, with steeply peaked gables, green shutters and fancy
cornices, decorate the village…” Linda Hunter, Midwest Living Magazine.
“Cooksville could be a museum piece—a small Wisconsin
Williamsburg—but while its beauty has endured from the past, it is not at all
static… Cooksville is a real place, too.”
James Rhem, Wisconsin Trails.
“Cooksville is one of
the most charming communities in Wisconsin… a community of brick houses…that
would lend itself admirably to a historic preservation project…” Richard W.
E. Perrin, Historic Wisconsin Buildings—A
Survey of Pioneer Architecture 1835-1870.
 |
| Backenstoe-Howard House ("Waucoma Lodge"), photo c.1920 |
“Cooksville itself
deserves a niche in any consideration of Wisconsin villages, a niche that is
not in proportion to its present size. In its spacious central Commons laid out
according to the ancient pattern of commons in Colonial America and in the
charming mid-nineteenth century red brick houses which border it, it represents
a part of New England that our pioneer ancestors transplanted to the prairies
of southern Wisconsin.” Bertha K. Whyte,
“Wisconsin Heritage.”
“Cooksville is considered to be one of the state’s most
architecturally significant communities. You’ll find this quaint gem of a
village to be one of the most evocative, as well.” Authors of Walking Tours of Wisconsin’s Historic Towns.
“Cooksville is more than a charming crossroads that time
forgot, it is a well preserved piece of Wisconsin’s heritage that travelers
should go out of their way to experience.”
Trent Margrif, National Trust for
Historic Preservation.
 |
| Cooksville Schoolhouse, photo c.1910 |
“The way Cooksville
was is the way Cooksville is today—a quiet, peaceful model of a small town cast
in time through which visitors can walk to a simpler age and a clear sense of
place. Visit it. You won’t regret the trip.” Ellsworth Brown, Director,
Wisconsin Historical Society.
Even the actress Sigourney Weaver liked Cooksville,
according to her aunt Sylva who once owned Cooksville’s Van Buren House: “[Sigourney] has seen pictures of Cooksville
and admired it greatly as a wonderful place for Summer Little Theater…I trust
you saw her in ‘Alien’.” Sylva Weaver
Rowland’s letter, June 17, 1981.
Others continue to appreciate Cooksville’s charm. Visitors
on bicycles, descendents of the early pioneers, and folks who like historic architecture
from another era and come to wander through the community, sometimes pausing to
rest on the Public Square. Others come to attend events at the Cooksville
Community Center’s schoolhouse or stop by the historic General Store. Some come
to listen to music in the old Cooksville Congregational Church or to attend festivities
at the historic Cooksville Lutheran Church. Some canoe down the Badfish Creek
or stroll through the old cemetery (or stay forever in that quiet burial
ground), or some just stop by to rest on the village green under the old burr
oak trees.
Cooksville has welcomed group tours by clubs, school classes,
and family reunions, or by organizations such as the National Trust for
Historic Preservation, Wisconsin Historical Society, Ten Chimneys Foundation,
Questers, and other interested groups.
Residents and friends of Cooksville, including the Historic
Cooksville Trust, Inc. a local preservation charity, and the Cooksville
Community Center, Inc., founded in 1962, help to continue the long tradition of
celebrating the preservation and enjoyment of the community’s heart and soul.
They happily share the quiet, quaint character of the village and the
surrounding Town of Porter countryside—all of which have made the Village of
Cooksville so appealing. And which continue to do so.
Cooksville is a small and special place and has been for 175
years. Its soul is its history, and the community wears its heart on its
sleeves— its history visible in the old houses, churches, barns, a store, a schoolhouse,
a Public Square, a cemetery, and the Badfish Creek and the farm fields
surrounding the village.
Cooksville’s 19th century historical past rests
comfortably and visibly in the present 21st century for all to admire
and share.
<
1842 -- 2017 >
No comments:
Post a Comment