Property Record
COMMERCIAL ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | HUSSA BREWERY |
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| Other Name: | SPREHN FEED MILL |
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| Reference Number: | 68938 |
| Location (Address): | COMMERCIAL ST |
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| County: | La Crosse |
| City: | Bangor |
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| Year Built: | 1858 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1992 |
| Historic Use: | brewery/distillery/winery |
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| Wall Material: | Brick |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | Yes |
| Demolished Date: | 0 |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | "Joseph Hussa from Czechoslovakia, came to the United States in October 1849. Trained as a brew-master in Prague, he finally settled in Juneau and Sauk Counties. In Watertown, Wisconsin, he built the Hussa Brewery and sold it in 1855. Early Swiss settlers, the Bosshards, Ruedys, and Wolfs persuaded Joseph Hussa in coming to Bangor in 1860. They helped him build the first two story building for the brewery built by Jacob Hatz, Floran Wolf, John Bosshard and John Ruedy. The Joseph Hussa and eight children lived on the second floor above the brewery until 1881 when the brewer's house was built. (The building has been taken down). After the 40x40x40 brewery was built of stone, a cooling system was needed. Joseph Hussa enticed Dominic Cavadini, a store and brick layer from Italy, to come to Bangor. He built the tunnels and caved rooms. These extended under the various buildings of the brewery and also eastward toward Bangor"s main street. The tunnels were used for storage of beer. The tunnel from the west went under the brewery, floor lined with brick, as also were some ceilings and rooms, It extended to the east to the Ford Garage (currently home of Clements Auto). Turning north, it went under the Oscar Hussa house, the Ford Garage Display Room (currently Clements Display Room). Then the tunnel turned west under the Hussa office (currently home of the Purple Cow Restaurant). Although a fire destroyed the brewery in 1911, the company survived since there were over 600 barrels stored in the tunnels. The bottling house was built in 1896 (currently next to the Clements Auto Building). The brewery was expanded as business grew. After 1885, yellow brick additions were made. An office was built in 1904 (currently home of the Purple Cow Restaurant). The Brewery was known throughout Wisconsin and barrels of beer were shipped by and active train line to many areas. Barrels were shipped by horse and wagon in towns that did not have train service. On contract signed by Joseph Hussa dates back to 1891. At first Joseph and brother John Hussa sprouted their own malt. Later the malt came from Milwaukee and Chicago. Hops for the bottled beer were imported from Germany, the linen bags were they used for table cloths. Two outstanding Hussa beers, Paragon and Crystaline, were touted by. advertising as healthy products." -"Village of Bangor History & Directory", prepared by the Bangor and Area Historical Society, Inc. |
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| Bibliographic References: | HISTORIC SITES OF THE LACROSSE RIVER VALLEY, LACROSSE COUNTY HISTORIC SITES PRESERVATION COMMISSION, 1996. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |